Will Kilauea blow its top?

A few weeks ago, the Halema’uma’u Crater started spewing out sulfur dioxide, eventually putting out gas at a rate ten times higher than normal. This caused the National Park Service to first close outlooks around Halema’uma’u, then to close the part of Chain Of Craters Road crossed by the gas plume.

Then, on March 19, the gas plume got stopped up, and the resulting pressure increase lead to an explosion, spreading rocks and debris across a 75-acre area.

Five days after that, the white gas plume changed to a gritty grey colour caused by ash and dust. Hawaii Volcano Observatory staff reported incandescence and found Pele’s hair, Pele’s tears, and spatter in the overlook area, which indicates that molten lava erupted from the vent.

This is the first time that lava has erupted at Halema’uma’u since 1982. It’s a small amount of lava, but it’s a good sign that activity is present at the summit of Kilauea instead of just near the Pu’u O’o caldera.

USGS press releases:
New gas vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater doubles sulfur dioxide emission rates
Explosive eruption in Halema`uma`u Crater, Kilauea Volcano, is first since 1924
Halema`uma`u gas plume becomes ash-laden