Kilauea’s lava lake was briefly visible from the edge of its caldera starting late Sunday evening, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Kilauea’s lava lake was briefly visible from the edge of its caldera starting late Sunday evening, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Janet Babb, HVO spokeswoman, said the lake rose into view from the Jagger Museum at about 10 p.m., and could been seen “on and off” as its level fluctuated through early Monday morning.
As of 7:30 a.m., the lake was 75 feet below the rim of the Overlook crater and back out of sight.
It’s estimated lava reached within 65 feet of the crater rim after midnight, Babb said.
That would have been the first time the lava lake was visible since last May when it overflowed onto the floor of Halemaumau, raising the crater rim by about 25 feet.
Babb said the volcano is back into a deflationary trend, which explains why the lake receded.
It’s not known if the lava lake will return into view in the short term.
“It really depends on the tilt,” Babb said.
“If the deflation continues, it probably won’t be visible again.”
For more information, visit http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.