Halemaumau treats visitors to clear views of its lava lake


The lava lake in the Overlook Crater of Halemaumau continues to rise giving visitors a spectacular treat viewing the molten lava and spatters from rockfall explosions.


The lava lake in the Overlook Crater, within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, has been rising over the past few days. Saturday (April 25) the lava was as high as 14 meters (46 feet) below the Overlook crater rim. Several areas of spattering were active along the lake margin. Video taken Saturday, April 25, 2015 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Story and Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

The high lava lake can be seen in the Halemaumau Overlook Vent at 4:10 p.m., April 25, 2015. Image courtesy of USGS/HVO

The high lava lake can be seen in the Halemaumau Overlook Vent at 4:10 p.m., April 25, 2015. Image courtesy of USGS/HVO

The lava lake in the Overlook Crater of Halemaumau continues to rise giving visitors a spectacular treat viewing the surface of the lava and spatters from rockfall explosions.

At dusk on Friday (April 24) the parking lot at the Jaggar Museum was so full Hawaii Volcanoes National Park rangers were directing vehicles to the Kilauea Overlook parking lot which is about a half-mile walk from the museum. Crowds were treated to clear views in cool but relatively mild weather.

The hissing sound of escaping gases along with loud thermal cracking of the rock walls could be heard at the museum’s lookout.

At about 2 a.m. Saturday (april 25) two collapses from the Overlook Crater wall triggered explosions and splattering of lava up onto the walls of Halemaumau and dusted the Jaggar Museum area with sand-sized ash. Seismic activity beneath Kilauea’s summit, the upper East Rift Zone and upper Southwest Rift Zone remain elevated according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports.

Visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park viewing the eruption need a National Park pass or pay an entry fee. Parking is crowded at the Jaggar Museum and visitors may have to park at the Kilauea Overlook parking lot which is about a half-mile walk from the museum along the Crater Rim Trail. (Kilauea Map Link)

Lava watchers should bring binoculars as the lake is on the far side of Halemaumau. If visiting at night warm clothes should be worn due to very cool temperatures and unpredictable weather which may include rain and fog.

Lava spattering shooting up over 30 yards in height could be seen coming from the Halemaumau Overlook Vent Friday, April 24, 2015. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Lava spattering shooting up over 30 yards in height could be seen coming from the Halemaumau Overlook Vent Friday, April 24, 2015. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

UPDATED (7:55 p.m. on 4/25/2015)

As of 7:50 p.m. Saturday (April 25) according to Chris Leonard, of New West Broadcasting, the fog has settled over the area making for poor viewing and traffic is backed-up to the Kilauea Visitor’s Center.

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