Kilauea alert level lowered as lava effusion rates diminish

The current eruption of Kilauea is not expected to migrate beyond the summit area of the volcano in the immediate future, scientists say.

This morning, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory dropped the volcano alert level for Kilauea from “warning” to “watch” after the current eruption, which began Thursday afternoon, reduced in intensity, with its initially high effusion rates declining.

The lava currently is confined to Halema‘uma‘u crater, and there is no indication of activity migrating elsewhere on the volcano, according to HVO.

As of this morning, lava fountaining within the crater is consistently about 5 yards high, with the depth of the new lava inundating much of the crater floor reaching about 10 yards.

There currently is no threat of significant volcanic ash emission outside of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so HVO also lowered Kilauea’s aviation alert level from “red” to “orange.”

HVO will continue to monitor the situation and issue notifications on significant changes.