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USGS scientist talks about his work at Halema'uma'u Crater for USGS Volcanoes Facebook Live event.

March 27, 2018

For the 10th anniversary of Kīlauea Volcano's summit eruption, USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory research geologist Matt Patrick talks about his work monitoring the lava lake in the Halema'uma'u Crater.

Dr. Patrick describes the explosion that created the lava lake in 2008 and points out features of the lake including the moving crustal plates, gas bursts, spatter, and collapse scars on the crater rim. Dr. Patrick also discusses hazards near the lake, such as explosions of gas and spatter, and volcanic gases, and the types of protective clothing worn by scientists who enter the closed area near the lake to collect daily lake level measurements.

View the video USGS Scientist Talks About Lava Lake in Halema'uma'u Crater or download the video from the USGS Multimedia Gallery.

Video Transcript
USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory research geologist Matt Patrick talks about the lava lake in the Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the Kīlauea Volcano (Hawaii). Dr. Patrick describes the eruption that created the lava lake and points out features of the lake including moving crustal plates, gas bursts, spatter and collapse scars on the crater rim. Dr. Patrick also discusses hazards near the lake, such as explosions and volcanic gases. This is a recording of the USGS Volcanoes Facebook Live event held on March 19, 2018, on the 10th anniversary of the summit eruption.

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