Surface lava flows were visible traveling down Pulama Pali. Three ocean-entry benches were seen along the SE corner of the active lava flow field. The active lava flow was 300-500 m from the nearest house in the Royal Gardens subdivision, but the homes may be protected from the lava by a barrier of `a`a deposited in 1983. Volcanic tremor was higher than normal during 12 and 13 May and small earthquakes were recorded in the caldera. Tiltmeters in the summit area and along the east rift zone indicated no significant deformation.

Geological Summary. Kilauea overlaps the E flank of the massive Mauna Loa shield volcano in the island of Hawaii. Eruptions are prominent in Polynesian legends; written documentation since 1820 records frequent summit and flank lava flow eruptions interspersed with periods of long-term lava lake activity at Halemaumau crater in the summit caldera until 1924. The 3 x 5 km caldera was formed in several stages about 1,500 years ago and during the 18th century; eruptions have also originated from the lengthy East and Southwest rift zones, which extend to the ocean in both directions. About 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano is formed of lava flows less than about 1,100 years old; 70% of the surface is younger than 600 years. The long-term eruption from the East rift zone between 1983 and 2018 produced lava flows covering more than 100 km2, destroyed hundreds of houses, and added new coastline.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)