Photo and Video Chronology – Kīlauea – April 8, 2021

By Kīlauea April 8, 2021

Kīlauea's summit eruption continues on the Island of Hawai‘i; Halema‘uma‘u west vent erupts lava into the lava lake, which was 225 m (738 ft) deep this morning, April 8. Gas emissions and seismic activity at the summit remain elevated. HVO field crews—equipped with specialized safety gear—monitor the eruption from withi

HVO scientists collect detailed data to assess hazards and understand how the eruption is evolving at Kīlauea's summit, all of which are shared with the National Park Service and emergency managers. Access to this hazardous area is by permission from, and in coordination with, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

April 7, 2021 — Eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit

View of the Kīlauea summit lava lake from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater on April 7, 2021. Lava continues to erupt from the west vent, where a diffuse gas plume is visible in the lower left. The active west part of the lava lake (lower center) is a lighter gray color, compared to the darker appearance of the solidified surface crust to the east. This photo was taken in an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons. USGS photo by D. Downs.

A zoomed in view of the active lava lake and western vent, taken from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea summit. The active lava lake remains perched a few meters (yards) higher than the surrounding solidified lava crust. A few small rafted islands (darker in color) are visible within the active western lava lake. The bluish-white gas plume marks the location of the active west vent. USGS photo taken by D. Downs on April 7, 2021.