Kilauea volcano update: rapid local ground deformation

The spatter cone is forming around the western vent (image: HVO)

The spatter cone is forming around the western vent (image: HVO)

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that instruments detected significant deflation at the summit of the volcano at about 10:00 local time this morning and is still continuing at the time of this update.
The level of the active lava lake has dropped rapidly during the day.