Thermal map of fissure system and lava flowsImage: USGS
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone lava flows and fissures, June 14, 11:00 a.m. HST.Image: USGS
Meanwhile, a second video released by the USGS shows what’s going on at Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea’s summit. This drone footage, captured on June 13, is providing a unique look at the gigantic hole, which began erupting in mid-May. The UAV footage allows officials and the public a close look at what is clearly a very hazardous area.
The perimeter around the crater can be seen slumping inward and downward. The deepest part of the crater is now about 1,000 feet (300 m) below the rim. The flat section at the bottom of the crater is the former Halema‘uma‘u crater floor, which has dropped at least 300 feet (100 m) over the past several weeks. Ground cracks near the crater rim can be seen cutting across the parking lot, the former site of a visitor overlook (which was closed back in 2008).
The scenes along the Hawaiian shoreline certainly look awful, but the good news is that this region will eventually rebound once Kilauea settles down. The beautiful islands of Hawaii wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for these volcanic processes, as problematic as they are to those who live there.
[USGS]