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

Halemaumau vent from the overlook camera Aug 25, 2011. Photo courtesy USGS/HVO

A lava lake has been present within the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent over the past week, resulting in night-time glow visible from Jaggar Museum. Since reappearing several days ago, the lava lake has hosted repeated fluctuations in height. Such cycles of rise and fall have been a common occurrence during Kilauea’s ongoing summit eruption.

After several days of quiet, lava reappeared in Pu`u `O`o last Sunday (August 21) and began to refill the crater. As of Thursday, August 25, lava had reached to within about 30 m (98 ft) of the east rim of Pu`u `O`o, but still has a long way to go before getting back to its level prior to the August 3 flank breakout and crater collapse.

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.