HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — As of Friday afternoon, Kilauea volcano’s eruption in the middle East Rift Zone near Nāpau Crater has paused, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. 

Eruptive tremor in the area decreased during the early morning hours on Friday. A webcam showed that lava flows into Nāpau Crater had crusted over by 10 pm on Thursday. Field crews reported minor spattering and small fountains at one end of the vent had ended by 10 a.m. on Friday.

However, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said a renewed eruption could occur in this region with little warning. 

The current eruption near Nāpau started Sunday in a remote part of the middle East Rift Zone.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information that the eruption paused. (Sept. 20, 2024)