The eruption at Kilauea within the Halemaumau crater paused at approximately 8:40 p.m. Friday night, according to a status report from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

What You Need To Know

  • The eruption at Kilauea within the Halemaumau crater has paused 

  • Seismic tremor was also dropping, and deflation of the summit that begun on Sunday, Dec. 29, was continuing

  • Kilauea Volcano Alert Level/Aviation Color Code remains at Watch/Orange

The observatory noted that there was no lava draining back into the southern vent, which was the only vent erupting. Seismic tremor was also dropping, and deflation of the summit that begun on Sunday, Dec. 29, was continuing. HVO stated that the deflation is expected to either slow down, stop or begin inflating again.

Kilauea Volcano Alert Level/Aviation Color Code remains at Watch/Orange.

The lava within the crater continues to move slowly and crustal overturns are expected within hours of the pause. Vents may continue to glow and degassing levels remain high. Gas measurements taken on Thursday were approximately 30,000 tonnes per day.

HVO will continue to monitor Kilauea and will issue an update Saturday morning.