Halemaumau Volcano Eruption Following 4.4 Earthquake
Posted Monday, December 21, 2020 12:33 A.M.
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was centered in the vicinity of the South Flank of Kilauea
Caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at approximately 10:36 P.M. last night.
Following the earthquake, Halemaumau volcano began erupting around 10:49 P.M. according
to United States Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
The pit crater's glow of lava filled the night sky. All communities on or near Kilauea’s
summit and rift zones should be prepared as the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has elevated
Kilauea’s volcano alert level to WARNING.
LIVE STREAM OF HALEMAUMAU VOLCANO
According to the United States Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Kilauea has
had infrequent periods during which no lava erupted since the early 1800s.
Kilauea Volcano has maintained a low level of non-eruptive unrest since the end of the
2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse, which deepened Halemaumau crater.
In late July 2019, ponded water appeared at the base of the deepest collapsed area of
Kilauea’s summit, within the Halemaumau crater. Since then, the body of water has grown
into a lake, which continues to rise as it seeks equilibrium with the surrounding groundwater.
