Based on visual observations from HVO geologists, video footage, and web camera views, HVO reported that during 23-29 July, lava flowed SE through a lava tube system from underneath Kilauea’s Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex to the Waikupanaha ocean entry. A bench collapse at the ocean entry occurred on 22 July. Pu’u ‘O’o crater incandescence originated from vents on the crater floor and was reflected in a gas plume emitted from a vent on the E wall. A surface lava flow was seen behind the coastal bench on 28 July. The sulfur dioxide emission rate at Pu’u ‘O’o was high at 4,700 and 5,400 tonnes per day on 24 and 26 July, respectively; the average background rate is about 2,000 tonnes per day.
During the reporting period, Kilauea earthquakes were variously located beneath Halema’uma’u crater, along the Koa’e fault system, beneath Makaopuhi crater, along the S-flank faults, and along the SW rift zone. Beneath Halema’uma’u crater, another 20-60 small earthquakes per day also occurred but were too small to be located more precisely. The vent in the crater continued to produce a white plume with minor ash content that drifted mainly SW. Night-time incandescence was seen at the base of the plume. Rock-clattering sounds were heard in the vicinity of Halema’uma’u crater. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high and between 600 and 800 tonnes per day, during 24-26 July. The pre-2008 background rate was 150-200 tonnes per day. On 26 July, incandescent material was ejected from the vent in Halema’uma’u crater.
Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) – “Reports provided courtesy of the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program.”