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Kīlauea Crater Vents Show Vigorous Activity
2 Apr
Summary
- Two active vents in Halema'uma'u crater were degassing.
- A lava pond was observed 30 meters down in the south vent.
- Recent tephra fall has heavily covered Cone Peak.
On March 31, 2026, scientists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted a helicopter survey of Kīlauea's summit. The overflight captured images of active eruptive vents within Halema'uma'u crater. Both the northern and southern vents were observed to be vigorously degassing during the survey.
A closer inspection revealed a lava pond situated about 30 meters below the rim of the south vent. This pond exhibited weak spattering. The tephra deposits from the eruption have dramatically reshaped the terrain in the predominant downwind direction, southwest of the crater.
Historic spatter cones, including Cone Peak, estimated to be 200-400 years old, were seen covered in recent tephra. Only a few jagged rocks were visible protruding from the thick ash blanket. Cone Peak itself spans approximately 650 meters in the area observed.
