In concert with inflationary tilt, the level of KÄ«lauea Volcano’s summit lava lake rose over the past day and was measured at 28 m (92 ft) below the vent rim this morning. With the higher lake level, and between passing heavy fog and rain showers throughout the day, vigorous spattering on the lake surface was visible from the Jaggar Museum Overlook in HawaiÊ»i Volcanoes National Park. Because of calm winds, noise associated with the spattering could be heard from the Jaggar Overlook—amidst the occasional rumble from weather-related thunder. Photo taken Tuesday, August 23, 2016 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Zooming in on the lava lake, a closer camera view of the spattering lake surface late this afternoon. Photo taken Tuesday, August 23, 2016 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 U.S. Geological Survey/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Kilauea Volcano Status

Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and from its East Rift Zone. The 61g lava flow continues to enter the ocean at Kamokuna and produce scattered breakouts on the coastal plain and pali. The flow poses no threat to nearby communities. Activity of the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake continues, with its surface around 20 m (66 ft) below the crater rim. Over the past day, views of spattering from the lava lake have been visible from the Jaggar overlook.

Summit Observations: The circulating lava lake within the Halemaʻumaʻu Overlook crater remains active. Inflationary tilt, which began Sunday afternoon, continues this morning. The lava lake surface level has risen in concert with the tilt, and is approximately 20 m (66 ft) below the crater rim. This is among the highest measured levels of the lake since May 2015, and spattering has been visible from the Jaggar overlook during the past day. Seismicity rates are normal, with tremor fluctuations associated with lava lake spattering. The average daily summit sulfur dioxide emission rate ranged from 4,000 to 4,300 metric tons/day over the past week.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: Limited webcam images (due to inclement weather) suggest no significant changes; intermittent views show that persistent glow continues at the long-term sources within the crater. There was no significant change in seismicity or tilt over the past day. The sulfur dioxide emission rate from all East Rift Zone vents was about 270 metric tons/day when last measured on August 19.

Lava Flow Observations: Activity of the 61g lava flow, extending southeast of PuÊ»u ʻŌʻō on KÄ«lauea’s south flank, continues. The flow is entering the sea at several places near Kamokuna (labeled ‘ocean entry’ on HVO maps), spanning about 1 km (0.6 mi) of coastline, and building an increasingly large lava delta at the base of the sea cliff. Scattered breakouts continue, predominantly on the pali, and the makai (seaward) portion of the coastal plain.

As a strong caution to visitors viewing the new flow 61g ocean entry (location where lava meets the sea), there are additional significant hazards besides walking on uneven surfaces and around unstable, extremely steep sea cliffs. Venturing too close to an ocean entry exposes you to flying debris created by the explosive interaction between lava and water. Also, the new land created is unstable because it is built on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand. This loose material can easily be eroded away by surf causing the new land to become unsupported and slide into the sea. Finally, the interaction of lava with the ocean creates an acidic plume laden with fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Please see these fact sheets for additional information:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs152-00/