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The surface elevation of lava lakes is an important parameter that can provide insight on the underlying magma reservoir pressure as well as outgassing dynamics of the magmatic system. Lava lake elevation may also be useful in forecasting potentially hazardous eruptions on a volcano’s flanks (Burgi and others 2014; Patrick and others 2015, 2020).  Precise measurements of lava lake elevation have been challenging in the past, due to thick volcanic gas plumes and the inaccessibility of most lava lakes.  New technologies, such as laser rangefinders, provides new opportunities to measure lava levels with high accuracy and sample rates.
 
In this data release, we include data from a continuous (1 Hz) laser rangefinder (Safran Vectronix LRF 7047) measuring the surface elevation of active lava lakes and the solidified crater floor at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, from 2021 to 2024.  These data span five summit eruptions, which gradually filled Halemaʻumaʻu crater with new lava.  These data may be useful for understanding lava lake behavior, as well as crater refilling processes.  

View the Data Release here: Continuous laser rangefinder measurements of lava lake elevation and crater filling at the summit of Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, 2021-2024 - ScienceBase-Catalog

Full reference for the USGS Data Release:

Younger, E.F., Tollett, W., and Patrick, M.R., 2024, Continuous laser rangefinder measurements of lava lake elevation and crater filling at the summit of Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, 2021-2024: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13SQTIC.