Lava lake topography during an eruption pause

On the afternoon of December 27, 2021, the summit eruption of Kīlauea was paused and showed only intermittent and weak crustal foundering in the formerly active west side of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. This photo, looking down and toward the east, shows the topography of the formerly active pond of lava during the eruption pause. The pond surface is approximately 12 meters (39 feet) lower than the high ledges surrounding it. USGS photo by K. Lynn.