Lava fountaining at the west vent—October 14, 2021

A close-up photo of the vent in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u, taken during the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit. The top of the 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall lava fountain could be seen from the west crater rim on October 14, at 2:05 p.m. The lava fountains continue to build up a spatter cone around the vent. Ponded lava within the cone—which is about 1 m (3 ft) higher than the level of the lava lake—flows through a narrow spillway into the lake. USGS photo taken by C. Parcheta.