Where is kilauea eruption

Geological Survey. Zoe Dym. Associated Press. The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.

See stories by Associated Press. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high at 2,, tonnes per day during and October. The lava lake was not level with the deepest parts surrounding the W vent; the W end was 8 m higher than the stagnant E part by 24 October. A m-wide, horseshoe-shaped spatter rampart had formed around the W vent and was open to the E where lava was feeding the lake.

For about 10 hours on 12 October a new vent N of the W vent produced m-high lava fountains. Lava fountains from the W vent rose as high as 20 m and fed the lava lake which was 46 m deep by 18 October.

The lava lake was not level with the deepest parts measured around the W vent; the W end was m higher than the N and S parts of the lake and 12 m higher than the E end. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high at 1,, tonnes per day during and October. At the beginning of the eruption, on 29 September, lava erupted from vents along the floor and from the W wall of the crater, though by 8 October only the W vent was active.

Sulfur dioxide emissions remained high and were 5, tonnes per day on 8 October. Lava fountains from the W vent were generally m high but decreased to 4 m during October. The total erupted volume was an estimated The lava lake was not level; the W end was m higher than the N and S parts of the lake and 5 m higher than the E end.

HVO noted that the central island or raft of cooler material from the eruption remained above the surface as the lava lake rose, and other smaller rafts had reemerged in the E and N parts of the lake. Around 30 minutes later the earthquakes became more intense, frequent, and shallower, and deformation patterns rapidly changed.

A photo taken at showed a large plume comprised of steam, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide rising from the fissures. At about another fissure with several vents opened on the inner W wall of the crater and produced low lava fountains and flows that descended to the crater floor.

The vent expanded by Lava from both fissures pooled on the solidified lava lake surface and quickly began to overturn and create a lava lake. The tallest lava fountain was near the S end of the lava lake and rose m during the night of September. During a helicopter overflight around on 30 September scientists determined that the lake was about m E-W and m N-S, covering an estimated 52 hectares. The W wall vent was visible, and several fountains were rising from the fissure in the central part of the lake.

Overnight during 30 September-1 October fountains rose as high as 15 m at the dominant vent in the W wall. Less vigorous fountaining persisted at other vents, though fewer were active. The lake had risen 24 m by the morning of 1 October, adding 4 m in the past day. The lake had risen another 2 m by the morning of 2 October; fountains were 7 m tall at the main W wall vent and m at the southern vents. Fountains occasionally rose as high as m in bursts. Pumice, Pele?

The W vent was again the most vigorous during October with sustained lava fountains to m with occasional bursts up to 20 m. The lake rose 3 m, past the base of the W vent where a m-high spatter cone had formed, and continued to founder in spots. Lava fountains rose m from the vents in the S and central portions of the lake, including along a fissure m long, with occasional larger bursts.

The lake was not level and generally higher near the location of the vents; the W end was m higher than the E, and S end was about 1 m higher than the N.

By 4 October ledges about 20 m wide separated the N and E parts of the active lava lake from the crater wall and were lower than the lake surface; the N, E, and S margins of the lake were perched about 3 m above the surrounding ledge.

On 5 October lava fountaining from the W vent was unchanged while fountains from the other vents rose m. The lake rose 1 more meter. The data suggested that a magma intrusion had slowed or stopped. Earthquake rates and ground deformation remained near pre-intrusion levels through 7 September. The rate of earthquakes per hour peaked at 28 during on 24 August and then decreased to through 25 August.

Most of the earthquakes were between magnitudes 1 and 2, occurring at depths of km. Later that day, ground deformation began again in the S part of the caldera at around and was followed by an increase in seismicity after Earthquakes in the swarm were located at depths of km.

The strongest earthquake was a M 2. The rate of events per hour was 16, with a peak of 24 just after midnight on 27 August, and then declined to about six. Seismicity remained low through 30 August with events per hour, all under M 2 and at depths of km. Deformation continued to be detected at variable rates. Although the deformation and seismicity suggested renewed magma movement, the data did not indicate an upward movement of magma. HVO reported that a swarm of earthquakes beneath the S part of Kilauea that began at on 23 August continued into the early morning of 24 August.

The earthquake swarm increased in intensity at and was accompanied by an increase in the rate of ground deformation to the W of the swarm, as recorded by the Sandhill tiltmeter. This possibly indicated that there was magma movement km beneath the S part of the caldera. Over earthquakes were recorded during 24 August, the largest of which was an Mw 3. Small earthquakes continued at a rate of at least 10 earthquakes per hour through 24 August.

A decreasing rate of lava entering the lake caused the area of the active lava lake to shrink to two small ponds by 11 May. Lava had stopped flowing into the lake sometimes during May, and it was completely crusted over by 20 May.

Weak inflation and an increase in shallow volcano tectonic earthquakes at the summit that began on 11 May also suggested that magma was staying at depth.

A few minor oozes of lava between the W vent and main island were occasionally visible. The depth of the lava lake was m and had remained unchanged since 11 May.

Sulfur dioxide emissions were tons per day during May, close to the less than 50 tonnes per day measured during the non-eruptive period from late to late Lava circulated in two small pools in the W part. The solidified portion comprised 99 percent of the total area, based on thermal measurements acquired on 13 May. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was tons per day during May, continuing a downward trend that began in mid-April. The depth of the lake was m by 11 May.

Lava continued to circulate in the W part, though the active area continued to shrink. The E half of the lake remained solidified and comprised about 93 percent of the total area, based on thermal measurements acquired on 16 April. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was tons per day during May, and tons per day on 10 May, continuing a downward trend that began in mid-April.

The depth of the lake was about m and lava continued to circulate in the W part, though the active area continued to shrink. Lava flowed at a low rate from the main vent into the lake through crusted-over channels and submerged inlets. The depth of the lake was about m and lava continued to circulate in the W part, though the active area continued to shrink; the E half of the lake remained solidified. Lava sometimes overflowed the margins of the lake.

The rates were the lowest measured during the eruption, though elevated above the levels recorded in the months before the start of the eruption 20 December The total depth of the lake measured about m and lava continued to circulate in the W part; the E half of the lake remained solidified and expanded toward the W.

HVO field crews observed weak spattering from two areas at the W vent during April. Lava flowed from the main vent into the lake through two crusted-over channels and submerged inlets, the former of which occurred during March. The total depth of the lake measured about m and lava continued to circulate in the W part; the E half of the lake remained solidified, expanding toward the W.

Lava flowed from both the main vent and a vent several meters NE into the lake through submerged inlets. Another lava flow emerged from about halfway up the cone structure starting at on 16 March, but had ended by the next day.

The depth of the western part of the lake rose from about m to m and lava continued to circulate in that part. The E half of the lake remained solidified and lower that the W half, with the crusted E half expanding towards the W. Lava flowed from both the main vent and a newer vent several meters NE into the lake through submerged inlets. Another lava flow emerged from about halfway up the cone structure starting at on 16 March. The depth of the western part of the lake rose from m to m and lava continued to circulate in that part.

The depth of the western part of the lake fluctuated around m. Rangefinder measurements and visual observations indicated that the eastern and western portions of the lake were rising at the same rate, suggesting that lava was accumulating under the crusted eastern portion.

In recent weeks a part of the cone, several meters NE of the main vent, occasionally fed short less than m lava flows that entered the lake at the crusted margins. During March flows from this vent poured lava into the lake at several shifting inlets, though lava also accumulated on the lake margin within 50 m of the vent. By midday on 7 March the flows had built a perched lava pond on the NW lake margin, but it abruptly collapsed just after The depth of the western part of the lake deepened from to m.

Lava effused from a submerged vent and rapidly developed a thin crust as it flowed E towards the main stagnant island. The E half of the lake remained solidified; the crusted area expanded towards the W. The W end of the lava lake was perched by 3 m above the distal margin of recent overflows. A series of surficial cracks separated the W part of the lake from the stagnant E part.

Lava spillovers just N of the inlet of lava sporadically flowed around the NW margin of the perched lake. Gas jetting at two locations above the W vents and two bursts of spatter were observed during February. During February a few lava flows were visible along the N and E margins of the E part of the lake. The western half of the lake dropped from m on 3 February to m on 4 February and stayed at that level during February; the drop in lake level was likely the result of summit deflation that was detected by tiltmeters.

The lake level had risen to m by the morning of 7 February coincident with the onset of summit inflation. A small dome fountain was visible at the entry point of lava into the lake on 8 February. The stagnant E half of the lake, separated by a series of surface cracks, was about 5 m lowed than the W half. The vent was mostly crusted over during 30 January-2 February, though several incandescent areas on cone were visible and lava slowly effused from the base of the cone. The western half of the lake deepened from m to m while the stagnant eastern half remained a few meters lower.

The lake was perched m above the rim. On 13 January a small portion of the cone collapsed, causing a second vent to open adjacent to the main vent and effuse lava for less than 20 minutes. The islands remained stationary in the E part of the lake; the dimensions of the largest island remained unchanged. Lava flowed through a crusted channel into the lake during most of the week.

A dome fountain of upwelled lava at the partially submerged inlet was 5 m tall early on 6 January. Dome fountaining had weakened early on 7 January, giving way to spattering at the top of the vent and the formation of a second cone. Dome fountaining was possibly visible again on 8 January.

The lake was perched at least m above its narrow edges, though late on 10 January the stagnant, eastern part of the lake had subsided and was m shallower. Overall the lake had deepened just 2 m by 11 January, reaching m, and the lake volume was estimated at more than 27 million cubic meters.

An island of cooler, solidified lava and the 11 smaller islands were relatively stationary in the E part of the lake. A cone had formed over the remaining active vent, which was one of three that had opened at the beginning of the eruption.

The lake deepened from m on 30 December to m by 4 January, and the lake volume was an estimated 26 million cubic meters by 4 January. Over the week the island was joined by less than a dozen other small islands of cooled and solidified material that also moved around, though they mostly remained in the eastern part of the lake. Seismicity remained elevated but stable. Lava erupted from the N and W vents during December with lava fountains that were sometimes 10 m high.

The lake level rose above the N vent by on 26 December; later that day, volcanologists noted that the lake was slowly draining at that location. The W vent continued to feed the lake during December. The depth of the lava lake increased from m to m during December. It continued to rise and was m deep by on 25 December, though a new, narrow, black rim along the N edge suggested that the lake had briefly been m deeper, and then drained back.

The lake remained m deep through 28 December, but by 29 December had deepened to m. The lake volume was an estimated 22 million cubic meters, and was by m in dimension by 29 December. HVO reported that a new eruption at Kilauea began on 20 December, after almost a month of pre-eruptive activity that included a dike intrusion.

An earthquake swarm on 30 November centered in the middle of the caldera was recorded followed by periods of increased seismicity in the upper East Rift Zone. Spikes in seismicity began on 2 December; at earthquakes intensified beneath the S part of the caldera; tiltmeters simultaneously recorded accelerated deformation, resulting in about 8 cm of caldera floor uplift.

The data suggested that a small intrusion had a volume equivalent to the amount of lava erupted in just hours from Fissure 8 during the eruption. On 3 December seismcity and deformation decreased to pre-intrusion levels. On 17 December the number and duration of long-period seismic signals increased.

An earthquake swarm and deformation were detected during the evening of 20 December. Minor lava fountaining 25 m high from the fissures was visible, with the tallest fountains reaching 50 m at the N fissure. Occasional blasts originated from the ponded lava. The accumulating lava in the crater rose at a rate of several meters per hour.

Sulfur dioxide plumes drifted NW. An estimated 10 million cubic meters of lava had been erupted so far. Lava effusion stopped at the NW vent during , and, along with the W vent, was inundated by the lava lake sometime before noon. HVO reported that during the previous several months monitoring data at Kilauea showed relatively low rates of seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions at the summit and East Rift Zone ERZ including the area of the eruption. That determination was made by HVO in part by using the Global Volcanism Program guideline that an eruption should be considered over on the date of the last eruptive activity, and when there has not been renewed activity in the following three months.

HVO noted that geophysical data continued to show magma being supplied to Kilauea, including the refilling of the middle ERZ, and reminded the public that Kilauea remains an active volcano. Seismicity was low, steady, relatively low rates of deformation across the volcano were recorded, and the summit and East Rift Zone ERZ produced only minor gas emissions.

These data indicated that near-term resumption of activity at the summit or at the lower ERZ was unlikely; the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow. Seismicity and ground deformation remain low at the summit, and small aftershocks from the M 6. Sulfur dioxide emissions from the summit and the LERZ were low. On 1 October a rockfall at Pu'u 'O'o produced a small ash plume. Seismicity and ground deformation remain low at the summit, and aftershocks from the M 6.

Small collapses at Pu'u 'O'o Crater during September generated visible dust plumes. On 1 September incandescence at Fissure 8 was evident in the afternoon; spattering from a small area produced lava flows that slowly covered the 15 x 65 m crater floor by the evening. Lava continued to fill the Fissure 8 crater on 3 September. Lava continued to ooze into the ocean and produce minimal laze plumes, but by 27 August only a small single breakout from the Kapoho Bay lobe was active.

Specifically, no collapse events had occurred at the summit since 2 August, lava ceased flowing in the channel from the Fissure 8 cone on 6 August, seismicity and ground deformation at the summit were negligible, and the combined rate of sulfur dioxide emission from the summit and the LERZ were lower than any time since late The small lava pond in Fissure 8 had crusted over by 17 August, with no observed incandescence. Lava continued to ooze into the ocean at a few areas, causing minimal laze plumes.

During an overflight on 20 August gas jets ejected spatter from a small incandescent area deep within the Fissure 8 cone. HVO reported that during August activity at Kilauea was characterized by a slowly-circulating lava pond deep within the Fissure 8 vent though the pond was crusted over by 14 August and a billowing gas plume, and a few scattered ocean entries. The summit area was quiet except for occasional rockfalls into the crater.

Fresh black sand from fragmented lava was transported SW by the ocean current, and accumulated in the Pohoiki harbor, creating a sandbar.

The westernmost ocean entry was about 1 km NE of the harbor. Earthquake and deformation data indicated no magma movement or pressurization in the system. A few spillovers from the channel set vegetation on fire. By 3 August the lava-flow velocity in the channel was low and on 4 August the output at Fissure 8 had waned. The lava channel was completely crusted over by 6 August, and a lava lake bubbled in the Fissure 8 cone.

The laze plumes at the ocean entry were greatly diminished. During August the lava lake in Fissure 8 was m below the spillway into the channel. A decreasing number of small active ooze outs near the coast were visible. A collapse event at the summit was recorded at on 2 August. Seismicity increased afterwards as has been typical since early on in the LERZ eruption, but then decreased along with the rate of deformation.

By 7 August deformation had almost stopped. The quiet conditions at the summit represented a significant change from the pattern of seismicity and deformation detected over the past several months.

Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that continued to spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and entered the ocean at Ahalanui. Explosions from collapse events occurred about every other day Sulfur dioxide emissions from the summit were very low.

Fountaining at Fissure 8 continued, producing Pele's hair and other volcanic glass that fell within Leilani Estates. The fountains continued to feed the lava flow that traveled NE, and then SSE, W of Kapoho Crater; lava occasionally overflowed the channel, and on 28 July ignited nearby vegetation. Small plumes of laze a corrosive steam plume mixed with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic glass particles were generated at several points along a broad 2-km-wide flow front at Ahalanui.

Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and built out the coastline at multiple ocean entries. Explosions from collapse events occurred almost daily, often followed by a surge in activity at Fissure 8. Channel overflows on 18 July destroyed structures in the Leilani Subdivision.

It generated plumes of laze a corrosive steam plume mixed with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic glass particles at several points along a broad 6-km-wide flow front, though the main entry area was at Ahalanui, a few hundred meters E of the flow edge which was m NE of Isaac Hale Park by 24 July.

HVO noted that the lava delta was unstable as it has been built out as far as m from the original coastline on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand. Explosions from collapse events occurred almost daily, producing gas-and-ash-poor plumes. A few channel overflows occurred. Lava entered the ocean at several points along a broad 6-km-wide flow front, though the main entry area was at Ahalanui m NE of Isaac Hale Park by 17 July.

On 13 July a new island, m in diameter, formed a few meters offshore, possibly fed by a submarine tumulus. On 16 July explosions were noted at the main ocean entry, some were strong.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency noted that an explosion early in the morning ejected tephra that injured 23 people on a nearby tour boat. Fissure 22 produced spattering m above its spatter cone and fed short lava flows that traveled NE on 4 July; weak spattering was visible form the cone the rest of the week.

Fountaining at Fissure 8 continued; lava fountains rarely rose higher than the m-high spatter cone. Pele's hair and other volcanic glass from the fountaining fell within Leilani Estates. Occasional overflows sent small flows down the sides of the channel that did not extend beyond areas previously covered in lava in the upper part of the channel; overflows further down traveled beyond the flow-field boundary.

Small brush fires were ignited from some of the overflows. A thermal map from 6 July showed that lava was not entering the ocean from the main channel and that the open channel ended about 2 km inland. Lava was flowing into the ocean at the N part of the broad flow front. Observations on 9 July indicated that a blockage had formed upstream of Kapoho Crater, and by 10 July a small lobe was moving around the W side of the crater.

Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and built out the coastline where the fast-moving flow entered the ocean in the area of the former Kapoho Bay.

Fissure 22 produced a few short lava flows during 30 June-3 July. Steam plumes rose from areas in the crater as well as from circumferential cracks adjacent to the crater.

Explosions from collapse events occurred almost daily, producing gas-and-ash-poor plumes that rose less than 1. The fountains continued to feed the fast-moving lava flow that traveled NE, and then SE around Kapoho Crater, and into the ocean.

Occasional overflows sent small flows down the sides of the channel. Lava entered the ocean on the S side of the flow front mainly through an open channel, but also along a 1-km-long area marked with billowing laze plumes.

A thermal map showed that on 29 June the lava channel had crusted over about 0. Fissure 22 produced weak lava fountains on 22 June, and weak spattering and small lava flows on 26 June. Explosions from collapse events occurred daily, producing gas-and-ash-poor plumes that rose less than 1.

Fountaining at Fissure 8 continued; lava fountains rose occasionally higher than the m-high spatter cone. The lava-flow front at the ocean was almost 3. Summit explosions occurred daily, producing ash plumes that rose as high as 3 km 10, ft a. On 18 June residents reported feeling a large earthquake at and hearing roaring.

The event was followed by an ash plume rising to 1. Fountaining at Fissure 8 was stable; lava fountains rose as high 60 m from a m-high spatter cone. Lava entering the ocean built a lava delta that by 16 June was just over hectares in area. A plume of laze rose from the entry points. An area of thermal upwelling in the ocean out from the visible lava-delta front was visible, suggesting lava flowing on the ocean floor.

Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and built out the coastline where the fast-moving flow entered the ocean in the Kapoho Bay area.

Summit explosions occurred almost daily. Explosions at and on 6 and 8 June, respectively, each produced an ash plume that rose 3 km 10, ft a.

An explosion was recorded at on 9 June. Two explosions, the second larger than the first, were recorded at and on 11 June. An ash-poor explosion occurred at on 12 June. A pattern of an increasing number of earthquakes, an explosion, and then a drop-off of seismicity immediately afterwards had emerged during the past few weeks and continued.

A total of 12 rockfalls in Pu'u 'O'o Crater were recorded between and on 8 June, following a M 3. A red dust plume was visible around but dissipated quickly. Fountaining at Fissue 8 was stable, though by 10 June three closely spaced fountains were active within the m-high spatter cone.

The heights of the fountains varied, but rose no higher than 70 m. The width of the channel varied from m along its length. Periodic overflows sometimes sent small flows down the sides of the channel. Lava entered the ocean at Kapoho Bay, building a lava delta that by 11 June was just over hectares in area. An area of strong thermal upwelling in the ocean around m out from the visible lava-delta front was visible beginning on 7 June, suggesting lava flowing on the ocean floor. USGS Topo.

USGS Hydrography. Open Street Map. ESRI Ocean. Map Legend. Date published: November 10, Date published: November 8, View recent quakes. Lava lake inside Kilauea volcano's West Gap crater. The whole crust covering the lake has just been overturned, exposing the red hot glowing interior.

The first lava flows from Kilauea volcano Hawai'? Several effusive vents arranged in a row on top of a dyke, feeding lava flows into Puka Nui collapse pit at Pu'u 'O'o crater, Kilauea volcano. More photos. Latest satellite images. Show more.