Volcano Watch: Kilauea activity update for May 3, 2012

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Time-lapse thermal imaging movie of Halemaumau Overlook Vent.

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

Flows are still advancing slowly on the coastal plain on April 26, 2012. In the background, the fume sources on the pali mark the path of the lava tube coming through Royal Gardens subdivision. USGS Photo by David Dow

Flows seen advancing slowly on the coastal plain on April 26, 2012. In the background, the fume sources on the pali mark the path of the lava tube coming through Royal Gardens subdivision. USGS Photo by David Dow

A lava lake present within the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent during the past week resulted in night-time glow that was visible from the Jaggar Museum overlook. The lake, which is normally about 80–115 m (260–380 ft) below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater and visible by HVO`s Webcam, rose and fell slightly during the week in response to a series of deflation-inflation cycles.

On Kilauea`s east rift zone, surface lava flows were active on the pali and coastal plain over the past week. These flows have been advancing slowly towards the ocean and, as of Thursday, May 3, active flows were about 1 km (0.9 miles) from the water. The flow advancement has been variable, in a “two steps forward, one step back” manner, due to the summit deflation-inflation cycles.

One earthquake beneath the Hawaiian Islands was reported felt this past week. A magnitude-2.7 earthquake occurred at 3:17 p.m., HST, on Monday, April 30, 2012, and was located 16 km (10 mi) southeast of Waikoloa Village, Hawai`i at a depth of 38 km (24 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

From the top of the inflated lava flow margin in April, the source of the surge can be seen. USGS Photo by David Dow

From the top of the inflated lava flow margin in April, the source of the surge can be seen. USGS Photo by David Dow

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Time-lapse movie from three cameras overlooking the coastal plain lava flows.

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