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 11-18 March. Small, sporadic, spatter fountains began at the N vent at about 0130 on 10 March and continued into 11 March. Lava flows emerged from the N vent at 0236 on 11 March and tall fountaining started 10 minutes later; by 0330 the fountains had reached 120-150 m and by 0400 they were over 180 m tall. Lava effusion at the S vent began at 0312 and fountaining began at 0330. Lava fountains from both vents continued through the day, rising 140-160 m. Sulfur dioxide emission averaged approximately 40,000 tonnes per day (t/d) during the period of high fountaining and Pele’s Hair was reported in Pahala, 40 km SW. Fountaining ceased at 1511 at the N vent and at 1513 at the S vent. Lava flows covered more than two-thirds of the crater floor. By 1700 sulfur dioxide emissions had decreased to an average of 3,000 t/d. Gas emissions and incandescence from both vents were visible during 12-18 March. Lava flows unrelated to activity at the N and S vents continue to spread across the down-dropped block on the E side of Halema’uma’u, likely fed by magma previously intruded beneath 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)