The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that the eruption within Kilauea’s Kaluapele summit caldera, from vents along the SW margin of Halema’uma’u Crater, continued at variable levels during 19-25 February. Lava fountaining began at the N vent at 2022 on 19 February and by 2100 the fountains were 90-125 m high. During a visit the next morning field crews observed lava fountains rising 45-60 m high at 0645 and that lava flows had covered about 75 percent of the crater floor. Incandescence at the S vent was visible. Sulfur dioxide emission rates were estimated to be 10,000 tons per day (t/d) or higher based on emissions measured during earlier lava-fountaining episodes. Pele’s Hair was reported on surfaces throughout the summit area of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities. Fountaining heights slowly declined and ceased at 0918 on 20 February, after about 13 hours of fountaining activity. Sulfur dioxide emission rates averaged 2,100 t/d at 1100. During 21-25 February spots of orange incandescence on the crater floor was visible at night as the erupted lava continued to cool. Incandescence at both vents was variable. The N vent began erupting at 1822 on 25 February with low lava fountains, and over the next hour the fountains increased in height to 180 m. Small spattering fountains were visible at the S vent just before 1900 and by 2000 small lava flows were effusing from the vent. Fountaining and lava effusion at the S vent intensified by 2100. Fountaining at the N vent ceased at 0635 on 26 February. Fountaining at the S vent decreased in intensity around the same time and by 0706 activity has ceased. 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)