2020-2021 Summit Eruption

USGS diagram illustrating the decrease in depth of Halemaʻumaʻu crater due to the 2020 summit eruption (Courtesy USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory). Click to view full-size.

Shortly after approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 20, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) detected a glow within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. The water lake that had existed at the summit of Kīlauea since 2019 soon boiled away as an effusive eruption commenced. Three initial vents in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater cascaded lava flows into a growing lava lake on the crater floor.

After 5 months of activity, a decrease in effusion indicated that the eruption in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was going to pause. HVO field crews did not observe any signs of lava lake activity on May 25, and reported no signs of active surface lava.
The next day Kīlauea was no longer erupting. The crusted-over lava lake was last measured at 229 m (751 ft) deep and was stagnant across its surface.

Below are select photographs and videos from the eruption, as it progresses.

For current monitoring info about Kīlauea, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html

 

 

Transition From a Water Lake to Lava Lake in Halemaʻumaʻu

Left image
Water Lake on December 20, 2020
Credit: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Right image
Lava Lake on December 24, 2020
Credit: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

On December 20, as lava cascaded into Halemaʻumaʻu crater, it instantly vaporized the growing lake of water that had been developing in the crater since 2018. By December 24, it was replaced by a lava lake more than 500 feet deep. (Photos by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory)

Note: these photos were taken by scientists studying the eruption and this view is not available from publicly accessible areas

 

Duration:

1 minute, 38 seconds

The western vent feeding the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu became partially submerged in the first days of January. The result is a rolling upwelling of lava called a "dome fountain." The height of the dome fountain was estimated to be about 16 feet (5 m) with an estimated width of 33 feet (10 m). Note: this telephoto image was taken by scientists studying the eruption and this view is not available from publicly accessible areas. Video by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

 

• 

  First Scenes of the 2020 Summit Eruption

  An early moment in the 2020 summit eruption on December 20, 2020, as lava entered Halemaʻumaʻu crater and vaporized the large lake of water at the bottom. Video contains no audio. (NPS Video/J. Wei)

  Duration:

  51.568 seconds

 

• 

  Lava Cascades in Halemaʻumaʻu as Eruption Begins, December 20, 2020

  Lava cascaded from the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater into a pool at the bottom, shortly after the summit eruption began on December 20, 2020. Video by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

  Duration:

  44.678 seconds

 

• 

  Saturn and Jupiter Over Erupting Halemaʻumaʻu

  On Tuesday, December 22, the conjuction of Jupiter and Saturn was seen over the new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. They can be seen in close proximity above the glowing plume emanating from Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Video contains no audio. (NPS Video/D. Hubner)

  Duration:

  21.855 seconds

 

• 

  Thermal Image of Island in Lava Lake

  As of December 29, 2020 an island of volcanic material continues to float in the lava lake in Halemauʻumaʻu crater. In these timelapse images captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory over the course of 24 hours, the island wanders slightly on the lake's surface. Clip is repeated several times.

  Duration:

  20.806 seconds

 

• 

  Sunrise Timelapse Near Kīlauea Overlook

  A timelapse video in the lead up to sunrise on January 7, 2021, near Kīlauea Overlook. Video contains no audio. (NPS Video/J. Prugsawan)

  Duration:

  15.215 seconds

 

Halemaʻumaʻu at approximately 10:30 p.m. on December 20, shortly after the eruption began. (NPS Photo/J. Wei)

 

Lava cascading into the base of Halemaʻumaʻu shortly after the eruption began, December 20.  Note: this photo was taken by scientists studying the eruption and this view is not available from publicly accessible areas. (USGS Photo)

 

As of 11:20 a.m. on December 21, two of the three original vents were still active, feeding the lava lake. The northern vent (right side) would soon be submerged.

 

The view from Crater Rim Trail behind Volcano House, December 21 at approximately 2:30 p.m. (NPS Photo/A. LaValle)

 

View from Crater Rim Trail approaching Kīlauea Overlook, December 22, 2020 (NPS Photo/A. LaValle)

 

Sunrise from Kupinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge) on December 22 (NPS Photo/A. LaValle)

 

Glowing lake in Halemaʻumaʻu January 2, 2021-- Note: this photo was taken by scientists studying the eruption and this view is not available from publicly accessible areas (USGS Photo/H. Dietterich)

 

Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake on the final day of 2020-- Note: this photo was taken by scientists studying the eruption and this view is not available from publicly accessible areas (USGS/F. Trusdell)

 

The view from Kīlauea Overlook, January 2, 2021 (NPS Photo/J. Wei)

 

Lava dome fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, January 4. Note: this photo was taken by scientists studying the eruption and this view is not available from publicly accessible areas (USGS/M. Patrick)

 

NPS Photo/A. LaValle

This photo shows just a few of the reasons why it is critical to stay on trails and in designated overlooks if visiting the park to see the current eruption.

Sinkholes, earth cracks, and unstable cliff edges are not always visible, even in daylight. Stay out of closed areas. Some areas still remain unstable after the eruption of 2018, and seismic activity is always a possibility on an active volcano.

 

 

Three Big Changes in Three Years

 

From lava to water and back again. Learn about three remarkable changes in the past three years at Halemaʻumaʻu crater.