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

No breakouts on the flow field have been reported over the past week, as of this writing (Thursday, Sept. 2). Though repeated deflation–inflation cycles at Kilauea’s summit may have caused small fluctuations in the size of the steam plume at Puhi-o-Kalaikini, the ocean entry remains active.

At Kilauea’s summit, a circulating lava pond deep in the collapse pit within the floor of Halemaumau Crater has also been visible via the Webcam throughout the past week. The lava surface fluctuated slowly in concert with the deflation-inflation cycles.

This slow change in lava level was punctuated on several occasions by abrupt increases in the height of the lava surface. These periods of high lava level were short-lived, lasting up to several hours, and ended with a sudden drop of the lava surface, back to its previous level. 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-2.8 earthquake occurred at 8:40 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 and was located 14 km (8 miles) west of Kilauea summit at a depth of 11 km (7 miles).

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.