Halemaʻumaʻu Crater V1cam

A Window Into an Active Caldera

Perched on the northwest rim of the Kīlauea caldera, this camera overlooks Halemaʻumaʻu, the pit crater that Hawaiian tradition holds as the home of Pele, the volcano goddess. The view sweeps across a vast floor of solidified lava flows where fresh eruptive activity reshapes the landscape.

The V1cam Vantage Point

This is the V1cam, an autofocusing pan-tilt-zoom instrument that observatory staff reposition to follow the most significant volcanic activity. Companion V2 and V3 cameras cover the eastern and southern reaches of the same crater, giving researchers a multi-angle record of the eruption.

Kīlauea and the Big Island

Kīlauea rises within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the southeastern flank of the Island of Hawaiʻi. As one of Earth's most studied volcanoes, its summit and rift zones have produced near-continuous activity that draws scientists and visitors from around the world.

Science in Real Time

Operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, the feed supports volcano monitoring and public education alike. Viewers watch the same plumes and vents that HVO geologists use to assess hazards, turning a remote crater into an open laboratory for anyone with a connection.