Helicopter Video Captures Kilauea’s North Vent Lava Overflows Ahead Of New Fountaining

Intermittent lava overflows continued from the north vent at Halemaʻumaʻu on the summit of Kīlauea, with more than 50 occurring since September 7 and activity signaling the potential onset of Episode 55 lava fountaining.

The helicopter video, recorded during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring flight around 1 p.m. HST on September 10, shows roiling lava about 65 feet (20 meters) down inside the north vent.

The aerial view shows a gray, crusted lava floor, a yellow sulfur stain along the rim and a thick white-blue gas plume rising from the open vent.

The camera then moves across fresh, ropey gray overflow crust before passing over a drained lava channel with a small open red glow. The channel remained hot from recent activity but was not actively flowing during the flight.

More than 50 precursory overflows had occurred since September 7, with the USGS later counting 69 in its September 11 daily update.

Kīlauea remained at WATCH, with an aviation color code of ORANGE. Episode 55 fountaining was forecast for September 10–11, then September 11 if inflation continued.