Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank Webcam – Kīlauea Volcano

The Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank Webcam provides a live view across the western flank of Puʻuʻōʻō on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Known as the PWcam, this remote camera offers a close perspective of volcanic terrain that was repeatedly transformed during decades of eruptive activity at Puʻuʻōʻō.

Located southeast of Kīlauea’s summit on Hawaiʻi Island, Puʻuʻōʻō was the primary center of one of the longest-lasting and most significant eruptions in Kīlauea’s modern history. Today, the webcam provides a fascinating way to observe this remote landscape while also checking current weather, visibility, cloud cover, rain, and volcanic haze.

Watch the Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank Live

The PWcam looks across the rugged terrain on the west side of Puʻuʻōʻō. Much of this landscape consists of relatively young lava flows, collapsed volcanic features, and areas gradually being reclaimed by vegetation.

Because Puʻuʻōʻō is located in a remote portion of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, most visitors cannot experience this perspective from developed roads or overlooks. The webcam provides a rare opportunity to view current conditions in this part of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone.

The camera can also help viewers observe broader changes in the landscape over time. Kīlauea remains an active volcanic system, and scientists continue to monitor the East Rift Zone along with the volcano’s summit and other areas.

Check Weather, Vog & Visibility

Weather can change rapidly around Puʻuʻōʻō. Clouds, rain, mist, and fog frequently move across the East Rift Zone, sometimes completely obscuring the volcanic terrain.

Volcanic emissions may also produce vog or haze depending on current activity and wind direction. Clear periods can reveal extensive views across the lava-covered landscape, while wet or cloudy weather can dramatically change the appearance of the area.

The webcam is an excellent companion to other Kīlauea cameras because conditions around Puʻuʻōʻō may be very different from those at Halemaʻumaʻu or the Kīlauea summit.

About Puʻuʻōʻō and Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone

Puʻuʻōʻō is a volcanic cone located along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. For more than three decades, it was the center of an extraordinary eruptive episode that profoundly changed the southeastern side of Hawaiʻi Island.

The Puʻuʻōʻō eruption began in January 1983. Early activity included dramatic lava fountains that built a large cone above the surrounding landscape. As the eruption continued, activity evolved into prolonged lava flows that repeatedly traveled downslope toward the Pacific Ocean.

Over the following decades, lava covered extensive areas of the East Rift Zone and coastal plain. Forests, roads, and other features were buried, while new volcanic terrain and additional coastline were created.

Puʻuʻōʻō itself also changed repeatedly. Sections of the cone and crater collapsed and were rebuilt as magma moved through Kīlauea’s complex underground plumbing system.

In 2018, Puʻuʻōʻō experienced a major collapse as magma migrated farther down Kīlauea’s Lower East Rift Zone. The resulting eruptive crisis dramatically altered both the East Rift Zone and Kīlauea’s summit, bringing the decades-long Puʻuʻōʻō eruptive episode to an end.

Today, the area remains remote and scientifically important. Much of the terrain surrounding Puʻuʻōʻō is inaccessible to ordinary park visitors, while volcanic monitoring instruments and cameras provide scientists with information about this portion of Kīlauea.

The Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank Webcam offers viewers a rare live perspective of this historic volcanic landscape while providing a useful look at current weather, visibility, and atmospheric conditions across Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone.

See Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Webcams

Why Use the Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank Webcam?

• View the western flank of Puʻuʻōʻō.
• Observe remote terrain along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone.
• Check current weather and visibility.
• Monitor clouds, rain, fog, mist, haze, and vog.
• Watch seasonal changes in vegetation and volcanic terrain.
• Compare conditions with Kīlauea summit webcams.
• View an area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park that is difficult to access.
• Observe a landscape shaped by decades of volcanic activity.

Where is the Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank Webcam located?

The PWcam is located at Puʻuʻōʻō on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island. The camera looks across the western flank of the Puʻuʻōʻō volcanic feature.

Can I check road conditions with this webcam?

No. The Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank Webcam is a remote volcanic monitoring camera and does not provide a direct view of public roads. It can, however, show current weather and visibility across the East Rift Zone.

Does the webcam show weather conditions?

Yes. The webcam provides a useful look at clouds, rain, fog, mist, haze, vog, and general visibility around Puʻuʻōʻō.

Is the webcam live?

Yes. The PWcam provides a live or regularly updated view of conditions at Puʻuʻōʻō. Because Kīlauea is an active volcano, webcam imagery should not be used by itself to determine volcanic hazards or safe access.