Kīlauea, Hawaii – During a helicopter overflight by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the morning of August 5, geologists identified a lava pond within the north vent of Kīlauea’s ongoing summit eruption.

This lava pond was actively supplying a subterranean lava tube located on the eastern side of the vent cone, directing molten rock toward the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater.

Officials noted that this type of activity has previously signaled the onset of new eruptive episodes during the current eruption cycle, which began on December 23, 2024.

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