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

Over the past week, breakouts traveling along the east margin of the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) flow on Kilauea’s east rift zone continued their journey to the ocean. As of this writing (Thursday, April 29), the active flow front has moved past the end of the Kalapana access road and the County viewing area, creeping through thick vegetation, and triggering small brush fires and minor methane bursts, before entering the ocean at 12:15 p.m. April 29.

At Kilauea’s summit, a ponded, circulating lava surface deep in the collapse pit within the floor of Halemaumau Crater was visible via Webcam during much of the past week. A small collapse of a portion of the vent floor on Monday increased the diameter of the lava pond. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

One earthquake beneath Hawaii Island was reported felt during the past week.

A magnitude-2.5 earthquake occurred at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22 and was located 9 km (6 miles) west of Waikoloa Village, at a depth of 11 km (7 miles).

Visit the HVO Web site (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for detailed Kilauea and Mauna Loa activity updates, recent volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more; call (808) 967-8862 for a Kilauea summary; email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.