Kilauea Summit Update – 6/23/15

Tilt at Kilauea’s summit switched back to inflationary tilt Monday night after about a 24 hour period of deflation. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory personnel say the current deflation-inflation activity is within typical and expected Kilauea summit behavior.

As the changes in tilt continue to occur, so does the lava lake within the Overlook crater. On Tuesday morning, the lava lake was measured to be about 141 feet from the new rim of the Overlook crater. The change has consistently fluctuated with the reversal of tilt at the summit. Between Monday and Tuesday, the lava lake lave was between 141-180 feet.

In addition to the fluctuation of the Overlook crater lava lake, changes are also occurring in the circulation patterns of the lake. This has led to various spattering and gas releases.

The area below Kilauea’s summit has returned to background levels, although intermediate bursts of seismic tremor continue to occur. HVO reports that the tremor is associated with periods of vigorous spattering within the Overlook crater.

No changed were noted by HVO in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō area. Seismicity remains at background levels in most areas, although a slight increase in seismic activity was recorded in the Upper East Rift Zone just after midnight, according to HVO.

Webcam observation of the June 27 lava flow continues to be observed showing active lava breakouts that have extended about 5 miles northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō.