Overflow coats new portion of Halema‘uma‘u floor

A large overflow of the lava lake atop Kilauea Volcano early Saturday expanded the area of Halema‘uma‘u Crater floor now coated in a fresh layer of earth.

Over the weekend, the lake level remained at or near the vent rim of Overlook Crater and periodically spilled over the top, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

“The lake overflowed onto the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater several times over the past day, with the largest overflow occurring around 2 a.m. this morning,” scientists said Saturday. “This 2 a.m. event enlarged the area of overflows surrounding the active lava lake.”

Another overflow occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Scientists say that since the overflows began last week, the rim of Overlook has been built up several meters. On Friday afternoon, the lake level measured roughly 4 meters (13 feet) above the original, pre-overflow floor of Halema‘uma‘u. By Saturday afternoon, it measured approximately 5 meters (16 feet) above.

Seismicity beneath Kilauea’s summit and upper East and Southwest rift zones remains elevated. And at the East rift zone eruption site, widespread breakouts are active within about five miles of Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent.

While HVO was closed Sunday and could not be reached for comment, photographs posted to social media showed another large explosion, triggered by rocks collapsing into the roiling lava lake, rattled the crater Sunday afternoon.

As long as the magma supply at the world’s most active volcano remains elevated, geologists say they expect to see continued high lava lake levels and overflows, accompanied by periodic rockfalls, explosions and falling ash.

For updated information, visit hvo.wr.usgs.gov.