HVO geologist conducts a VLF (very low frequency) survey across the episode 61g lava tube to measure the depth and cross-sectional area of lava flowing within the tube. Photo taken Friday, August 19, 2016 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Aerial view of the Kamokuna ocean entry. Lava is reaching the sea along a broad area about 1 km (0.6 miles) long. In this view, the 61g lava flow is lighter gray in color compared to older lavas. Photo taken Friday, August 19, 2016 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Aerial view of the Kamokuna ocean entry and the Emergency Access Road cut by the 61g lava flow. 61g lavas are lighter in color than older lavas on the coastal plain. Upslope, a trail of fume marks the lava tube as it passes over the pali. Photo taken Friday, August 19, 2016 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Saturday, August 20, 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 30-35 m (98-115 ft) below the crater rim.

Summit Observations: The circulating lava lake within the Halemaʻumaʻu Overlook crater remains active. Deflationary tilt began at the summit around mid-day yesterday and is ongoing this morning. As expected, the lava lake surface level has dropped in concert with the tilt, and is 30-35 m (98-115 ft) below the crater rim. Seismicity rates are normal, with tremor fluctuations associated with lava lake spattering. The average daily summit sulfur dioxide emission rate ranged from 1,200 to 4,000 metric tons/day over the past week.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: No significant changes are visible on webcam images; persistent glow continues at the long-term sources within the crater. There was also no significant change in seismicity or tilt over the past day. The sulfur dioxide emission rate from all East Rift Zone vents was about 400 metric tons/day when last measured on August 10.

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), building an increasingly large lava delta at the base of the sea cliff. An HVO overflight yesterday confirmed that scattered breakouts continue, predominantly on, and at the base of the pali, and on the makai (seaward) portion of the coastal plain, within a few hundred meters (yards) of the coast. Wispy laze plumes were being produced as small cascades of lava dribbled into the ocean.

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/

This map shows recent changes to Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow field at the coast. The area of the active flow field as of August 12 is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the active flow as mapped on August 19 is shown in red. The base is a Digital Globe image from January 2016.