(Activity updates are written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.)

Over the past week, surface flows continued to be active in two areas on the coastal plain.

As of Thursday, Aug. 5, most of the lava activity is focused at the two ocean entries southwest of Kalapana Gardens. The eastern entry continues to produce a small delta and plume, while the western entry has expanded to the west, spanning about 550 m (1,800 ft) of coastline, at this writing.

Surface flows also continue to burn through vegetation on the western margin of the flow. Small, scattered breakouts continue along the tube system 1 km (0.6 mi) upslope from Highway 130. There has not been any substantial advancement of flows toward Kalapana Gardens.

Repeated deflation/inflation (DI) events at Kilauea’s summit, ongoing for the last week, may cause the surface flows on the coastal plain to stall and restart repeatedly.

At Kilauea’s summit, a circulating lava pond deep in the collapse pit within the floor of Halemaumau Crater was visible via the Webcam throughout the past week. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

One earthquake beneath Hawaii Island was reported felt during the past week. A magnitude-3.4 earthquake occurred at 11:13 a.m. Friday, July 30, and was located 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Kaena Point at a depth of 10 km (6 mi).

Visit the HVO Web site (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for detailed Kilauea and Mauna Loa activity updates, recent volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more; call (808) 967-8862 for a Kilauea summary; email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.