The eruption of Kīlauea appears to be paused.

The eruption in Halema’uma’u crater within Kaluapele that began yesterday morning continued through most of the day within a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

There was no immediate threat to human life or infrastructure, but emission rates of volcanic gases were very high.

Webcam imagery and field crew observations showed continued lava fountaining from vents in the southwest portion of the caldera with new lava covering approximately 650 acres, including all of Halema’uma’u and most of the adjacent downdropped block.

Around 3 p.m. yesterday, tilt at the summit stopped showing deflation and seismic tremor began decreasing. By 3:30 p.m., lava fountains were barely visible. By 4 p.m., fountaining had stopped and seismic tremor was close to background levels. Visible volcanic gas emissions also decreased significantly.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and will issue an eruption update.

 

Photo credit: USGS