(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 the Puhi-o-Kalaikini lava delta, near Kalapana, where it enters the ocean and creates a steam plume.

A vigorous breakout from the lava tube that began Saturday, Nov. 20 continues at the time of writing (Wednesday, Nov. 24), and has sent flows to within 75 m (about 80 yards) of a residence at the western end of Kalapana Gardens subdivision.

At Kilauea’s summit, the circulating lava lake in the collapse pit deep 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.

Three earthquakes beneath the channel between Maui and Kahoolawe Islands were reported felt during the past week.

On Thursday, Nov. 23, a magnitude-4.3 earthquake occurred at 6:34 p.m. and was located at a depth of 18 km (11 miles). A magnitude-3.5 earthquake occurred at 6:51 p.m., and a magnitude-2.8 occurred at 11:15 p.m. in the same location and at the same depth.

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.