Photo and Video Chronology – Kīlauea – March 1, 2021

By Kīlauea March 1, 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.

February 26, 2021 - Halema‘uma‘u lava lake

Color photograph of lava lake — On the afternoon of Friday, February 26, 2021, the active west side of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, had numerous surface breakouts and foundering crust amid vigorous steaming due to the heavy rainfall. This view is looking to the east from the west side of the crater. At the base of the west vent lava was effusing at the lake level. There was no spatter or other activity from the top of the west vent cone. USGS photo.

Color photograph of lava lake and rainbow — Heavy rains at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano (Hawaii) cleared on the afternoon of Friday, February 26, 2021, to show the steaming surface of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u viewed from the west. A rainbow arches over the lake looking east across the crater toward Kīlauea Iki. This photo was taken within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons. USGS photo.