Live from the crater rim
This is the USGS V1cam livestream, looking into the west side of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Press play to load it.
Stream provided by the U.S. Geological Survey. If it is not playing, USGS may be maintaining the camera; try all USGS livestreams.
Every summit camera
| Camera | What it shows | Type |
|---|---|---|
| V1cam | West Halemaʻumaʻu crater, from the northwest rim | Livestream |
| V2cam | East Halemaʻumaʻu crater, from the northeast rim of the caldera | Livestream |
| V3cam | South Halemaʻumaʻu crater, from the south rim of the caldera | Livestream |
| B1cam | Down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu, from the east rim | Still images |
| KWcam | Halemaʻumaʻu and the caldera, from the west rim | Still images |
| F1cam | Thermal camera on the west rim | Still images |
| K2cam | The caldera from the bluff at Uēkahuna | Still images |
| KPcam | The summit from Mauna Loa Strip Road, for eruption plumes | Still images |
Most still cameras take a picture every few minutes to save bandwidth. You may spot observatory staff in bright yellow or orange working on the equipment.
What you are looking at
The eruption happens in episodes: a vent in Halemaʻumaʻu fountains lava for a few hours, then stops while the summit refills. Between episodes the cams show a quiet, steaming crater. During one, the livestreams are the best seat on the island. How the eruption works and how to time a visit.
See it in person
The crater is inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, about an hour from Hilo and up to three hours from Kona. Read the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitor guide, or compare park tours if you would rather not drive.