Photo by Janice Wei
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: Episode 30 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 12:55 p.m. HST on August 6 after 12 hours of continuous fountaining. Lava fountains reached up to 165 ft (50 m) and erupted lava covering 80% of the crater floor during this episode. A new fissure vent that transected the south wall of Halemaʻumaʻu ceased erupting at 4:40 a.m. HST on the morning of August 6. Volcanic gas emissions have greatly decreased. Models show that episode 31 could start sometime late this week or next week.