Southwest region of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake—Kīlauea summit

This photo shows the southwest region of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea summit. Foundering of the active lava lake surface crust—a common process where liquid lava overrides and submerges crust—was observed by HVO scientists on February 12. Several rockfall deposits from the Halema‘uma‘u crater walls are visible on the stagnant lava lake margin (upper-center and lower-right). The southern end of the main island can be seen in the lower-left. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither.