Geochemical detective work helps answer questions about Kīlauea's ongoing e

When Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone first erupted on May 3, 2018, lava temperatures were about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. As the eruption progressed, with fresher magma feeding the fissures, the erupted lava became progressively hotter, resulting in more fluid and far-reaching lava flows (May 21 shown here). Lava temperatures have now leveled out at 2070–2085 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperature measurements provide insight on what's happening inside the volcano. USGS photo by C. Parcheta.