This video, at 50x speed to illustrate the motion of the lava lake surface, shows typical lava lake activity within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Lava upwells in the northern portion of the lake (left side of image), with most of the lake surface flowing towards the south (right side). Spattering is active within a small grotto at the southeast margin of the lake. Video taken Sunday, December 4, 2016 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Monday, December 5, 2016 U.S. Geological Survey/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kilauea Volcano Status

Activity Summary: Eruptions continue at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit and East Rift Zone. The episode 61g lava flow from Puʻu ʻŌʻō in the East Rift Zone is entering the ocean at Kamokuna. A younger branch of the flow is active near Puʻu ʻŌʻō and advancing slowly east. These lava flows pose no threat to nearby communities at this time. The lava lake at Kīlauea’s summit continues to circulate, with periods of spattering occurring sporadically. There has been a net drop in lake level. Seismic activity continues at a low rate and deflationary tilt is ongoing.

Summit Observations: Over the past week, the average daily sulfur dioxide emission rate at the summit has ranged from about 2,300 to 5,000 metric tons/day, but was measurable on only a few days. The summit deflated at a gradually slowing rate through the day yesterday, but the rate picked up again shortly after midnight. Summit tiltmeters record a loss of about 6 microradians since deflation started just before midnight on December 1. Summit seismic activity remains low. The summit lava lake level and the amplitude of summit seismic tremor fluctuated as spattering in the lake waxed and waned. Overall, there was a net drop in lava level in tandem with summit deflation.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: There were no obvious changes at Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Webcam views show persistent glow from sources within the crater and from a vent high on the northeast flank of the cone. The record from the tiltmeter on the northwest flank of the cone was strongly affected by rainfall. The sulfur dioxide emission rate from all East Rift Zone vents was about 340 metric tons/day when last measured on November 30. Seismicity in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō area continues at low levels.

Lava Flow Observations: The recent breakouts from the episode 61g vent on the east flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō were active at least until last night, when poor weather obscured webcam views. Lava also continued to travel through the main (original) branch of the episode 61g flow and enter the ocean at Kamokuna, where activity has been concentrated on the east side of the delta.

As a strong caution to visitors viewing the episode 61g flow ocean entry (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. In several instances, such collapses, once started, have also incorporated parts of the older sea cliff. Prominent cracks observed in the surface of the relatively large eastern lava delta at Kamokuna indicate instability and an increased potential for larger collapse events. Finally, the interaction of lava with the ocean creates a corrosive seawater plume laden with hydrochloric acid and 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/
For comprehensive information on volcanic air pollution please see the vog dashboard at: www.ivhhn.org/vog/