Based on observations during overflights, and web camera views when weather permitted, HVO reported that during 27 February-4 March activity from Kilauea's fissure segment D was concentrated at the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) shield and satellitic shields to the E and SE. A pahoehoe flow ponded between the rootless shields and Kalalua Cone. Two lava flow lobes advanced through Royal Gardens subdivision and destroyed three abandoned homes by 28 February. One lobe reached the base of the Royal Gardens kipuka and Campout flow from early 2007.On 1 March the lobes merged and cut off the road access to the homes of the last two known residents. Incandescence from the TEB vent was noted during 29 February and 2-3 March.

Diffuse incandescence was observed in Pu'u 'O'o crater through the fume during 27 February and 1-3 March. Earthquakes were located beneath Halema'uma'u crater, along the S-flank faults, beneath the summit, N of Makaopuhi crater, and along the upper E and SW rift zones. Sulfur dioxide emission rates from the summit area were elevated at 2-4 times background values where levels have been since early January. The emission rate was about 970 tonnes per day on 3 March, compared to a background rate of 150-200 tons per day.

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)