Pu‘u O‘o Crater Thursday (June 23) Images courtesty of USGS/HVO, composited by Hawaii 24/7.

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

The lava lake in Halemaumau Crater overlook vent on Thursday (June 23). Image courtesy of USGS/HVO

A small lava lake was present deep within the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent during the past week. Cycles of rise and fall were prevalent, causing the lava lake level—and the size of the gas plume—to fluctuate abruptly.

Lava also erupted continuously within Pu`u `O`o over the past week, feeding a lava lake perched above the crater floor. Small overflows topped the rim of the perched pond occasionally, sending lava spilling onto the crater surrounding crater floor. Volcanic gas emissions from both vents remain elevated, resulting in relatively high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

No earthquakes beneath Hawai`i Island were reported felt this past week.

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.

Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.