Recent evolution of Kilauea activity.

In Kilauea, the HVO reports a growing pressure on the Pu'u O'o magmatic system during the last month .

Since mid-March 2018, the tilt meter and GPS station of Pu'u O'o have recorded an inflationary trend of the cone, and the floor of the crater of several meters ... sign of magmatic accumulation at shallow depths.

Such episodes of inflation and rising of the crater floor occurred in May-June 2014 and May 2016; they preceded the opening of new vents, which produced respectively the lava flow of June 27, active from 2014 to 2016, and the 61 g flow, still active.

The 61 g lava flow continues to be fed, and on April 13, 2018, geologists observed scattered breakouts about 2.2 km from Pu'u O'o, and a lazy breakout 5 km from the cone. In recent weeks, lava flows have spread to the floor of the crater.

In terms of risk prevention, the possible opening of a new vent on the cone of Pu'u O'o could feed lava flows on one or more sides of the cone, which could initially advance rapidly several kilometers down the slope. The potential danger of a sudden breakout makes any approach of the cone hazardous.

The level of the upper lava lake remains at a high level, with spattering visible during the day from the site of the observatory and the Jaggar museum. On April 16, the lava was 11 meters below the edge of the crater Overlook; a drop in level brought it down to 14 meters under the edge of the crater on April 17th.

Source: HVO