The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that the eruption within Kilauea’s Kaluapele summit caldera continued during 22-28 January from vents along the SW margin of Halema’uma’u Crater. Sulfur dioxide emissions were last recorded on 19 January, after the end of a lava-fountaining episode, and averaged around 800 tonnes per day; sulfur dioxide emissions likely continued at similar levels during 20-21 January. Incandescence was strong at the N vent during 21-22 January, and weak, intermittent spatter from the N vent was visible early on 22 January. Sustained spattering began at about 1457 on 22 January around the time seismic tremor increased, deflation was detected near the vent, and a sulfur dioxide gas discharge was estimated at more than 10,000 tonnes per day. Lava flows were established by 1459, followed at 1551 by domed fountains rising 5-10 m. The activity continued overnight during 22-23 January with lava fountains rising 30-50 m. Pele’s hair fell at the Steaming Bluff parking area and lava flows covered about half of the crater floor. Eruptive activity at the N vent paused at 0430 on 23 January. Intense incandescence from the N vent and spots of orange glow from the crater floor were visible overnight during 23-24 January.

Small, sporadic spattering at the N vent began at around 1800 on 24 January, strengthening into sustained lava fountains by 2315, and then lava flows advancing onto the crater floor at 2328. Lava fountains were rising as high as 45 m by midnight, and a second flow had developed. Fountain heights began to decrease at 0200 on 25 January and by 0300 they were 15-30 m high, and the second lava flow was no longer active. Nearly half of the crater floor had been covered by lava. Lava fountain activity gradually declined throughout the morning and lava flows from the N vent stopped at 1236. A large area of erupted lava overturned around 1358 during a period when lava was draining back into the N vent, and the lava surface at the center of the crater floor dropped about 0.5 m. Spots of orange glow on the crater floor were visible as the lava cooled. Strong incandescence at the N vent was visible.

Around 1330 on 27 January small, sporadic spatter fountains began again and continued to intensify into sustained fountaining by 1841. At 1940 fountains from the N vent were 30-40 m high and fed multiple lava flows. A small fountain at the S vent fed a small flow from the S side of its cone. By 0740 on 28 January the fountains at the N vent were about 40-45 m high and at the S vent were about 30 m high. Then at 1043 the S vent stopped erupting followed by the N vent at 1047. Lava flows covered more than half of the crater floor. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).

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)