Kilauea Summit Update – 6/19/15

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Friday morning that activity at Kilauea’s summit switched to inflation at 1:30 a.m. after steadily deflating on Thursday.

The activity has caused the lava lake within the Overlook crater to change in accordance with the tilt.  According to HVO, the surface of the lava lake ranged from about 148-180 feet below the rim of the Overlook crater over the past day.

Along with the fluctuating deflation-inflation behaviors, changes in the circulation patterns within the lava lake, spattering and gas release continues.

HVO noted on Friday that the back-and-forth activity at the summit is typical of the area.

Below Kilauea’s summit, seismic levels remain at background levels, but a slight elevation in activity was recorded on the Southwest Rift Zone. Seismic levels at Puʻu ʻŌʻō also remain at background levels.

The floor of Puʻu ʻŌʻō experienced a small lava flow spill onto it at about 1:30 a.m. Friday morning. HVO reports that the flow exited from a vent on the north side of the crater floor.

Observation through webcam and satellite imagery shows lava breakouts active within 5 miles northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō.