Kilauea Summit Update – 5/19/15

After more than a week of decreased and stable lava levels at the summit of Kilauea, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Tuesday morning that in the past day, the lava lake’s level has risen slightly. Officials say the lava lake in the Overlook crater rose to a level of about 130 feet below the original crater floor.

On Monday, HVO reported that the lava lake level had remained steady since Sunday morning’s measurements and that the level of the lake was a between 150 and 165 feet below the original crater floor.

In addition, HVO reports that seismic rates have mellowed out below Kilauea’s summit and the Southwest Rift Zone. These two areas over the past day have reported seismic levels that are considered normal background levels. Increased magma accumulation in the Southwest Rift Zone has also been associated with the slight decrease in tilt being recorded by tiltmeters at the summit.

No significant tilt has been recorded along the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō and seismic rates have also been reported by HVO as normal in the area.

Continued observation of webcam and satellite imagery by HVO scientists show that the June 27 lava flow continues to remain active on the surface. Officials say the activity stems from several breakouts, all of which are within 5 miles of Puʻu ʻŌʻō.