Recent slow inflationary tilt at the Kilauea Volcano summit appeared to have leveled off during the past day, U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported Thursday.
Recent slow inflationary tilt at the Kilauea Volcano summit appeared to have leveled off during the past day, U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported Thursday.
The inflationary tilt, which commenced Monday, leveled off during the past day, the scientists said. During inflation, magma rises into the summit reservoir, according to the observatory. The summit reservoir enters the deflation portion of the cycle when the magma moves laterally into a rift zone and either erupts or is stored there.
Measurements Wednesday showed a drop in lake level of about 20 feet from Tuesday. As of Wednesday afternoon, the lava lake was within 148 feet of the rim of the Overlook vent on the floor of Halemaumau Crater. Despite the drop, the lava lake continues to circulate and spatter. A gas plume during the day and glow at night are visible.
Very low levels of background seismicity continue at the summit, with most of the seismic activity being persistent volcanic tremor and variations in tremor strength rather than individual events.
Seismicity rates at the East Rift Zone also remained at normal levels, the scientist said.
At the East Rift Zone eruption site, June 27 lava flows persist within 5 miles northeast of Puu Oo.