(Activity updates are written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.)

Lava continues to erupt from the TEB vent on Kilauea’s east rift zone and flow through tubes to the ocean at Waikupanaha. The persistent surface flows and small ocean entries west of Waikupanaha, active in November and early December, stagnated last week.

The flow field has remained quiet since.

Glow above the vent at Kilauea’s summit has been visible at night from the Jaggar Museum. Throughout the week, the Webcam perched on the rim of Halemaumau Crater recorded incandescent openings at the bottom of the pit inset within the crater floor.

By mid-week a small ponded lava surface had risen into view on the east side of the pit. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

Two earthquakes beneath Hawaii Island were reported felt this past week. Both occurred Monday, Dec. 14.

A magnitude-2.9 earthquake at 3:32 p.m. was located 7 miles northwest of Kawaihae at a depth of 6.3 miles.

A magnitude-3.6 earthquake at 7:21 p.m. was located 3 miles north of Kaena Point at a depth of 5.8 miles.