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Photo and Video Chronology – Kīlauea – February 12, 2021

February 12, 2021

Kīlauea's summit eruption continues on the Island of Hawai‘i; the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u erupts lava into the lava lake. Gas emissions and seismic activity at the summit remain elevated. HVO field crews—equipped with specialized safety gear and PPE—monitor the current eruption from within the closed area of Hawai&lsq

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.

Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake
The flow of the lake around a small island, south of the inlet zone, formed a heart-shaped outline in the western portion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake
No major changes were observed at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater during the field visit to Kīlauea Volcano's summit on Thursday, February 11. The western fissure, shown here, remained active with lava entering the lake at the normal inlet site. The inlet consisted of a small upwelling zone that was raised several meters (yards) above the surrounding lake surface. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Color photograph of lava
A close-up of the inlet zone showing the small upwelling area at the western margin of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. USGS photo by M. Patrick.