Lava spills out of a swollen lava lake at Kilauea's volcanic crater. Flows reached the sea at several locations.
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano underwent an explosive increase in activity in mid-January.
The level of lava inside the volcano’s summit lava has reached a historically high level.
Flows of lava from the swollen lake drifted downslope and reached the ocean at several locations, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and its lava flow has been traced back directly to the Earth’s deep mantle.
Vulcanologists believe the constant flow since it began its latest eruptive phase 30 years ago has likely prevented a massive explosion from the volcano’s main crater.
Kilauea blew its top about the year 1500, leaving behind a caldera that currently contains the swollen lava lake.
Photo: Tim Orr - U.S. Geological Survey