Current Conditions Courtesy of USGS - Hawaiian Volcano ObservatoryFriday, February 19, 2021, 8:29 AM HST
Current Volcano Alert Level: Watch/Orange Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano is erupting. Lava activity is confined to Halemaʻumaʻu with lava erupting from a vent on the northwest side of the crater. As of the morning of February 18, the lava in the western (active) portion of the lake in Halema‘uma‘u was 217 m (712 ft) deep with intermittent crustal foundering. The eastern portion of the lava lake has a stagnant and solidified surface crust. SO2 emission rates remain elevated at 1,200 t/day. Summit Observations: The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurements from February 16 are about 1,200 t/d—lower than the emission rates from the pre-2018 lava lake (around 5,000 t/d). The summit tiltmeters show steady ground change of slight inflation over the past 24 hours. Seismicity remains stable, with elevated tremor and no minor earthquakes. East Rift Zone Observations: Geodetic monitors indicate that the upper portion of the East Rift Zone (between the summit and Puʻu ʻŌʻō) contracted while the summit deflated at the onset of this eruption. There is no seismic or deformation data to indicate that additional magma is currently moving into either of Kīlauea’s rift zones. SO2 and H2S emissions from Puʻu ʻŌʻō were below instrumental detection levels when measured on January 7. Halemaʻumaʻu Lava Lake Observations: Lava from the west vent continues to supply the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater. The active western half of the lava lake was approximately 217 m (712 ft) deep today on February 18, 2021. The small increase in depth since yesterday coincides with current effusion rates and slight inflationary trend. Over the past day, lava effusion continued at the western fissure, with the lava rapidly developing a thin crust and flowing outwards towards the east. The eastern half of the lake crust is stagnant. The position and dimensions of the main island have not changed. On February 18, the west end of the island was 6 m (20 ft) above the lava lake surface; all other islands also remain stationary, frozen in the stagnant eastern portion of the lava lake. For more up-to-date monitoring information on Kīlauea: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html Hazardous volcanic gases are billowing out the crater and present a danger to everyone, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children and pregnant women. For more information on air quality, visit: https://www.hawaiiso2network.com/
WebcamsGet a live look inside the park, courtesy of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Ranger Tips For A Successful VisitA new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea is drawing large numbers of visitors. Plan ahead so you can stay safe and enjoy your visit.
2020-2021 Summit EruptionPhotos and media from the eruption that began on December 20, 2020
From lava to water and back again. Learn about three remarkable changes in the past three years at Halemaʻumaʻu crater on the summit of Kīlauea.
Transition From a Water Lake to Lava Lake in Halemaʻumaʻu
Water Lake on December 20, 2020
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Lava Lake on December 24, 2020
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Mauna Loa
Learn about some of the previous eruptions of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa
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Last updated: February 19, 2021