Pele puts on a show

            On March 19, 2008 a lava lake was formed by an explosion in Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the summit of Kilauea Volcano. The lava lake exists in what has come to be called the Overlook Crater within Halemaʻumaʻu. Over the 7 years of its existence the level of the lake has fluctuated but never was visible from the Jaggar Museum observation area. That has now changed.

            The photo above, captured from the Hawaiʻi Volcano Observatory web site, shows the extent of the lava lake. As of today, April 25, the level of the lake is about 40 feet below the rim of th Overlook Crater. That is a high enough level that some of the lava lake surface can be seen from the Jaggar Museum. In addition spattering of the lava in the lake can also be seen and the roar of gas release from the lake can be heard. So, if the weather cooperates Pele is putting on a show that hasn't been seen since the lake formed. There is no way of knowing how long the lava lake will be visible. The lake level typically fluctuates due to inflation/deflation episodes. We are presently in an inflation phase, but it may reverse at any time.