Lava Lake at Kīlauea Volcano Spans 72 Acres and is 558 Feet Deep

Lava activity at Kīlauea remains confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater with lava erupting from a vent on the northwest side of the crater, according to a new update issued by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The HVO reports that as of 10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27, the lava lake was 581 feet deep with a narrow black ledge around it and reduced sulfur dioxide emissions were measured on Sunday morning. 

Seismicity remained elevated but stable, with steady elevated tremor and a few minor earthquakes, according to the HVO.

“The upper portion of the East Rift Zone contracted while the summit deflated. This was associated with magma withdrawal to feed the summit vents. There is no seismic or deformation data to indicate that magma is moving into either of Kīlauea’s rift zones,” according to the HVO daily report.

The lake volume was about 4.9 billion gallons and 72 acres in size.

Webcam views of the lava lake can be found here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html.