Lava Lake Nearly Full!

Friends who have visited us on the Big Island, also visited Kilauea volcano, but they did NOT get this view!  The lava in the small inner crater has been rising this week -- and now, you can actually see the lava from the Jagger Overlook.

The top photo was from 4/23, thanks to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.  Two days ago the lava lake, within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at Kīlauea's summit, reached the highest point yet measured for the current summit eruption-- only 66 feet below the Overlook crater rim.


Just yesterday, the level rise to just 46 feet below the Overlook crater rim.  At this rate, lava will soon reach the top and overflow into the larger crater of Kilauea.  The second photograph (also USGS) was taken from the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, in an area closed to the public due to volcanic hazards.

Down here in Pahoa, we are not affected by this directly.  But, remember, that Kilauea remains the source for the lava still coming out of Pu'u O'o Crater; lava that was threatening Pahoa Village, appears to have stalled only yards from the town and highway.  Interestingly however, it appears that the same volume of lava is still coming out -- just much higher up the slopes.


From our house at 800 ft. elevation, it takes about 45 minutes to get up to Kilauea's elevation of just over 4,000 ft.  It has been the site of 61 separate eruptions since 1823, easily making it one of the most active volcanoes on Earth.  This map will give you some perspective as to the size of both craters.  The inner crater is about 1/2 mile wide and last overflowed April 1982, so this is a pretty spectacular occasion.

PS - Sunday 4/26 the lava is now 20 ft from top!

PPS -- Monday 4/27 "Burnin' Lake of Fire"

For more photos and details please check this link below:  http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov