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Collapse of the north rim into Halemaumau vent.

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

Deflation started at Kilauea’s summit Feb. 25, and the lava lake within the eruptive vent in Halemaumau dropped almost 50 m (164 ft) as a result. Deflation switched back to inflation Feb. 28, and the lava lake has since risen back to its previous level 70–80 m (230–262 ft) below the floor of Halemaumau.

A series of small collapses of the north rim of the vent triggered several small explosive events March 3 that ejected molten spatter onto the Halemaumau crater floor. Superimposed on the general rise and fall of the lava surface during the deflation-inflation cycle were sporadic, short-lived lava high stands that changed the lava level by 10–15 m (30–50 ft). Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

At Puu Oo, the deflation phase of the deflation-inflation cycle resulted in diminished lava flow activity on the crater floor by Feb. 28, but renewed inflation led to increased flow activity on the floor of the crater March 1. Throughout the past week, modest surface flows have remained active on the pali and coastal plain west of Kalapana.

One earthquake beneath the Hawaiian islands was reported felt this past week. A magnitude-3.6 earthquake occurred at 2:12 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 and was located 26 km (16 mi) southeast of Waimanalo, Oahu, at a depth of 19 km (11.8 mi).

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.