Lava Lake Activity at Kilauea Summit Fluctuates

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory noted Sunday that Kilauea’s summit continues to inflate, rising approximately 26 feet since Saturday morning.

This is a view of spattering at the east corner of the lava lake on the morning of April 26. USGS/HVO photo.

The lava lake was about 13 feet from spilling onto the Overlook crater rim and onto the floor of Halema’uma’u overnight Saturday. As of 7 a.m. Sunday. HVO said the lava lake was about 20 feet below the Overlook crater rim. The level had fallen slightly but increased in spattering.

In addition to the activity and lava lake rise, HVO officials say that seismic activity below both Kilauea’s summit and upper East and Southwest Rift zones remain raised.

This photo shows the lava lake in the Overlook crater on the morning of April 26, when it reached to within 3 m (10 ft) of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu. This is the highest the lava lake has reached during the current summit eruption. USGS/HVO photo.

According to HVO, the summit has reached an approximate total of 6.5 microradians since the area began to inflate on Tuesday, April 21.

Weak inflation was also noted on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. On Saturday, a small flow that erupted partly filled Puʻu ʻŌʻō’s crater.

HVO webcams provided imaging that assisted HVO scientists in determining that the June 27 lava flow continues to remain active northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Officials say that the activity spans up to 5 miles northeast of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater,as of mapping that took place on April 23.