Kīlauea summit eruption—Lava returns to Halemaʻumaʻu

Kīlauea Volcano's summit eruption, marked by the reemergence of lava within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater in 2008, represents an unprecedented dual-eruption scenario on the volcano, with simultaneous activity at both the summit and East Rift Zone. Since its onset, this eruption has featured continuous degassing, explosive events, and a dynamic lava lake—one of the two largest globally. The study leverages historical photographs and 4K imagery to document the evolution of Halemaʻumaʻu's vent and lava lake, while USGS scientists provide insights into monitoring techniques, the mechanics behind lake level fluctuations, and the triggers for explosive events. This work underscores the complex interplay between Kīlauea's summit and rift zone eruptions, offering a multifaceted perspective on volcanic processes and their broader impacts.

Babb, J. L., Wessells, S. M., & Neal, C. A. (2017). Kīlauea summit eruption—Lava returns to Halemaʻumaʻu. General Information Product. https://doi.org/10.3133/gip182