After slowing several weeks ago, the Kilauea eruption paused on Tuesday, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. 

No lava is currently flowing onto the Halemaumau crater floor, where the eruption that started on Jan. 5 has been confined.  

On Monday, small amounts of oozing lava were still flowing in the western part of the crater, but by the afternoon, they had diminished. 

Volcano monitors do not show any new lava under the crusted crater floor, but previously accumulated lava may feed further ooze-outs at the surface. 

The eruption’s reduction is related to a large deflationary tilt signal that started on Feb. 17 and lasted until Feb. 19. Since then, the summit has experienced several smaller deflation and inflation events, but it remains deflated compared to its status prior to Feb. 17. Volcanic activity could increase if the summit re-inflates to its previous level.

Meanwhile, Mauna Loa is not erupting. The volcano erupted in November 2022 and stopped the following month. Before that, the volcano had been inactive since 1984. Currently, there is no detectable volcanic tremor, which would indicate subsurface fluid movement.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.