Eruption Update and Thermal Map From USGS
5:51 AM · Dec 22, 2020Latest update from USGS along with a thermal map of the new eruption area. "Our team is taking an overnight break from social media, so things may be quiet - we'll jump right up and post if something dramatic happens. To close out this eventful day, take a look at this thermal overlay on satellite imagery. A helicopter overflight today (Dec 21, 2020) at approximately ~11:30 AM HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the new eruption within Halema'uma'u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. This preliminary thermal map shows that the new lava lake is 580 m (yd) E-W axis and 320 m (yd) in N-S axis. The lake area is about 13.6 hectares (33 acres). USGS map by M. Patrick."