Halema‘uma‘u west vent activity

Lava erupts from the western vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, on October 18, 2021. Activity remains similar to previous days, with lava fountaining occurring through a perched pond within the vent cone and flowing down a short spillway into the lava lake. As lava enters the lake and moves away from the vent, the crust on the surface forms a radial pattern. USGS image by B. Carr.