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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.
January 26, 2021 — Kīlauea
Late afternoon view of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, January 26, 2021
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
HVO scientists observed the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake from the southern crater rim in the late afternoon on Tuesday. In this view, the active western fissure at Kīlauea's summit is visible to the left. The circulating western portion (left) of the lava lake has a more silvery color than the stagnant eastern portion (right). Several of the islands in the lake, including the largest one, are seen here. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
Close-up view of active western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, January 26, 2021
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
This close-up view of the active western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit was captured through the lens of a laser ranging device used by HVO scientists to measure distances to features within the crater. Though somewhat concealed by spatter deposits, lava is assumed to be originating below the incandescent skylights near the top of the cone, which stands approximately 40 meters (44 yards) above the lava lake surface. From this source, the lava is streaming down into the lake at a speed of several meters per second. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.