(BIVN) – The ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano is paused, and scientists are forecasting the next episode of high lava fountaining to occur next week.
On Wednesday morning, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported the episode 57 forecast window is between Monday, November 16, and Saturday, November 21.
There has been steady inflation at the summit since the end of episode 56 on November 5th. As of this morning the Uēkahuna tiltmeter has recovered a total of 9.6 microradians of inflationary tilt since the end of episode 56.
During a helicopter overflight on Tuesday, scientists observed a roiling lava surface in both summit vents, about 130 to 165 feet (40-50 meters) deep.
The Observatory says seismic tremor remains elevated, and no earthquakes were located at the summit in the past day. Trade winds this morning are carrying volcanic gases southwest toward Kaʻū.
The USGS Volcano Alert Level is at ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code is at YELLOW.
Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain low in the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone.
