HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii – The lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano was recently filmed during one of its frequent periods of spattering. Scientists say the large bubbles bursting at the surface drive the spattering activity, as shown occasionally by large spherical bursts.

“The spattering is normally at the lake margins,” wrote the United States Geological Survey, “and the surface crust often flows towards, and is consumed at, the spattering source.”

There has been a lot of volcano talk this month. January is Volcano Awareness Month on Hawaii Island. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists under the United States Geological Survey have been giving all sorts of interesting lectures on Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Today we feature Matt Patrick, who recently presented on Happenings in Halema‘uma‘u, an After Dark in the Park talk on Kilauea’s summit eruption… going strong since March 2008.

Video still courtesy USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.