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

Lava continues to enter the lava tube system and is carried downslope to Puhi-o-Kalaikini, near Kalapana, where it enters the ocean and creates a large steam plume.

Some of this lava was escaping from the tube to form small surface flows that were active near the end of Highway 130, just west of Kalapana, through much of the week. They were joined by a breakout on the pali that was active as of Thursday, Oct. 7.

Lava flows were active within the Puu Oo crater through the week, as well, with an increase in lava output Wednesday that resulted in the formation of a small lava lake on the eastern side of the crater.

At Kilauea’s summit, the circulating lava lake deep in the collapse pit within the floor of Halemaumau Crater has been visible via Webcam throughout the past week. The circulation pattern was interrupted sporadically by abrupt increases in the height of the lava surface.

These periods of high lava level have been short-lived, lasting up to several hours, and each 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-3.9 earthquake occurred Sunday, Oct. 3, at 9:39 a.m., H.s.t., and was located 5 km (3 miles) west of Pahala at a depth of 36 km (22 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.