Kilauea Summit Update – 7/2/15

Activity at Kilauea’s summit is no longer focused on tilt, as the summit has remained relatively steady with no significant measurements of tilt since last Friday.

Within the Overlook crater, however, activity continues. According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, part of the rim wall collapsed into the lava lake within the crater Wednesday afternoon around 2:30. As a result, an ashy plume, back-and-forth movement at the surface of the lava lake, and intense spattering took place within the crater lava lake.

HVO reports Thursday that there was no net change in the lava lake’s level since Wednesday. The surface of the lava lake is about 155 feet below the rim of the Overlook crater.

Seismic rates below Kilauea’s summit are at background levels with periodic bursts of seismic tremor that have been associated with vigorous spattering of the lava lake. Puʻu ʻŌʻō also remains at background levels.

For the week ending on June 30, HVO reports sulfur dioxide emission rates between 2,100 and 2,700 tonnes per day.

At Puʻu ʻŌʻō, webcam images have shown multiple incandescent outgassing vents within the crater. These vents were first recognized on Tuesday during an overflight assessment conducted by HVO geologists. No changes in tilt have been seen at the vent.

Continued webcam observation of the June 27, 2014 lava flow shows lava breakouts are still extending from an area about 5 miles to the northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō.