Kīlauea volcano continues a brilliant summit eruption; watch LIVE stream
Halemaʻumaʻu, lava lake, and down-dropped block [KWcam] From the west rim of the summit caldera, looking east. (6.8.23) PC: USGS/HVO- Halemaʻumaʻu crater and lava lake from the down-dropped block [B1cam] From the east rim and the down-dropped block. (6.8.23) PC: USGS/HVO
- HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. They are equipped with a range of specialized safety gear and personal protective equipment such as gas masks, helmets, gloves, and eye protection. (6.7.23) PC: USGS/HVO
- A summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, began at approximately 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. Lava is flowing on the crater floor and there are several active vent sources. The eruption at Kīlauea’s summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and high levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern. (6.7.23) PC: USGS/HVO
- HVO scientists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano, within began the morning of June 7, 2023. This aerial photo shows that multiple vent sources are active on the crater floor, much of which has been covered with new lava over the past several hours. (6.7.23) PC: USGS/HVO
- As of 9:30 a.m., multiple vents remain active in the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit. Most vents are on the crater floor; however, one fissure is in the southwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. This fissure is located about 30 meters (100 feet) above the lava lake surface and is approximately 20-25 meters (65-80 feet) long. (6.7.23) PC: USGS/HVO
Alert level lowered
Update: 8:37 a.m., June 8, 2023
HVO is lowering Kīlauea’s volcano alert level from WARNING to WATCH because the initial high effusion rates have declined, and no infrastructure is threatened. Associated hazards are confined to the closed area established by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
HVO is lowering Kīlauea’s aviation color code from RED to ORANGE because there is currently no threat of significant volcanic ash emission into the atmosphere outside of the hazardous closed area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption plume continues to rise to the base of the inversion level at about 8,000-10,000 feet above sea level as it did yesterday. The plume is largely composed of sulfur dioxide gas and minor volcanic particles, but in lower concentrations due to the drop in effusion rate. Hazards associated with the eruption are limited and are described below.
Kīlauea’s summit eruption is expected to continue and remain confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. HVO does not see any indication of activity migrating elsewhere on Kīlauea volcano and expects the eruption to remain confined to the summit region.
Fountain heights 13-20 feet
Update: 5:23 a.m., June 8, 2023
The summit eruption at Kīlauea continues to emit a brilliant light show, and activity remains confined to the crater floor since the eruption onset Wednesday morning.
The summit eruption of Kīlauea began within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. All activity remains confined to the Kīlauea summit region, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island, according to the latest update from the USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. The agency reports that there are no indications of activity migrating out of the summit region.
Multiple minor fountains remained active on Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor, and one fissure remains active on the southwest wall of the caldera.
Fountain heights have decreased since the eruption onset and, as of approximately 3 p.m. on Wednesday, they were about 13-30 feet high.
Initial lava flows inundated the crater floor spreading over 370 acres, and added about 32 feet in depth of new lava. A 3-6 foot ring of elevated lava surrounds the perimeter of the crater floor, encircling continued lava flow activity, according to the HVO.
Summit tilt switched from inflation to deflation shortly after the eruption onset. Summit earthquake activity greatly diminished following the eruption onset and was replaced by continuous eruptive tremor, a signal associated with fluid movement, the HVO reports.
Volcanic gas emissions in the eruption area are elevated; a sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate of approximately 65,000 tonnes per day was measured between approximately 8 and 9 a.m., June 7, 2023.
Residents of Pāhala, 20 miles downwind of Kīlaueaʻs summit, reported a very light dusting of gritty fine ash and Pele’s hair.
Kīlauea’s volcano alert level and aviation color code will remain at WARNING/RED as hazards associated with the eruption onset were to be evaluated overnight.
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