What's Currently Going on at Kilauea; March 2010

image from usgs

The main event on the Big Island, the volcano, continues to entertain visitors. As in January, lava has been visible off and on from the coastal Kalapana view site. And the more recent eruption deep inside the caldera within the National Park's Halema`uma`u Crater has continued to cast a red glow at night and send up a a steam plume during the day.

Kalapana View Site

Viewing conditions vary here. Sometimes you can see the lava entering the sea and other times this view is blocked by the lava delta that intermittently builds and then caves in.

To get a close up view of the sizzling lava splashing into the ocean, take one of the lava boat tours, such as Lava Ocean Adventures

You can get the most recent update of visibility from the Kalapana lava viewing site by calling (808) 961-8093. Currently (Feb. 26) visitors can see some of the lava flow as it makes its way down the mountain towards the cliffs. The lava flows through a system of underground, but surface outbreaks allow us to see parts of the flow.

The Kalapana site is managed by Hawaii County Civil Defense. You'll find the parking lot at the end of Highway 130 just a few minutes south of the town of Pahoa on the Windward side below Hilo. Here are directions.

If you go, wear protective shoes and pants as lava rock is quite sharp. The viewing is best at night so bring a flashlight. Binoculars will also come in handy. To be admitted to the site, visitors must arrive before 8 p.m. You can stay though till 10 p.m. The site opens at 5 p.m.

Halema`uma`u Crater

Currently just as through last month there isn't a surface eruption; the lava lake is over 600 feet down inside a caldera that is inside this crater. At night thought a red hot glow is visible above the crater. The best viewing continues to be from the Thomas Jaggar Museum in Volcano National Park. In the daytime all that is currently visible is a steam plume, but when everyone out on the viewing is quiet, you can often hear the crackling from the pit.

For daily updates from the National Park, call 808-985-6000.