Kilauea eruption pauses for the fifth time since Dec. 23
The summit eruption at Kilauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on Dec. 23 ended its fifth episode at 4:30 a.m. this morning after 26 hours of eruptive activity from the north vent.
The fifth episode began at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and continued overnight with fountaining 30 yards to 50 yards in height and Pele’s hair observed at the Steaming Bluff parking lot area, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
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The fifth episode was accompanied gas discharges estimated at greater than 10,000 tonnes per day.
The fountain activity stopped suddenly at about 4:30 a.m. today along with the end of lava effusion from the vent.
A strong glow from the north vent indicates that magma remains close to the surface of Halemaʻumaʻu within Kaluapele (the summit caldera).
No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.