VIDEO: View the dramatic changes at Kilauea’s summit

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drone) team has completed its mission at Kilauea volcano’s summit, mapping dramatic changes within the caldera.

Since Aug. 4, 2018, the number of earthquakes at the summit have decreased and the rate of subsidence has stabilized. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates at the summit is less than 200 tonnes/day, which is lower than at any time since late 2007.

The summit began changing after the May 3 eruption in Leilani Estates, which generated a series of large earthquakes at the caldera area.

Limited drone flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.