(BIVN) – The lull in activity at Kīlauea Volcano continues, both at the summit and on the lower East Rift Zone.

There remains a small, crusted-over pond of lava deep inside the fissure 8 cone. A new USGS video shows a 3-dimensional computer model, revealing the structure of the fissure 8 cone. The model was created from thermal images acquired during a helicopter overflight on August 15. The cone is currently about 100 feet tall with a broad base.

Lava also continues to ooze along a few scattered ocean entries. Pohoiki has been spared, and the boat ramp is now surrounded by a new sand bar.

Lava stopped flowing out of Fissure 8 on August 6, and there has not been a summit collapse event since August 2.

In a Thursday update, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said that – based on earthquake and deformation data – there has been no sign that the volcano is building toward a resumption of activity. But scientists and emergency officials say that it is common for eruptions to go through periods of diminished output – or to pause completely – only to reactivate days, weeks, or even months later.

On Thursday evening, in what civil defense officials said would be the final daily Kilauea Eruption Update unless activity significantly changes – the following access policies and restrictions were reiterated:

The entire flow field, including all fissures and lava features, is still extremely dangerous and remains off limits. The Highway 137 roadblock near MacKenzie State Park, and the Highway 132 roadblock between Nanawale and Lava Tree State Park, remains closed to the public. Properties not destroyed, but isolated by lava on – like those east of Pohoiki Road and in Malama Ki Place – are accessible to residents with Civil Defense authorization only. Leilani Estates access is still limited to residents only. A Civil Defense Access Placard is required to enter the subdivision. The mandatory evacuation area is still in effect, and residents must make an appointment with Civil Defense for an escort in. Access to Papaya Farms Road, Noni Farms Road, Railroad Avenue, the Mail Box area, and Cinder Road is limited to residents. Civil Defense says an Access Placard is still required for these areas. Placards are available Monday through Friday at the Civil Defense office in Hilo, located at 920 Ululani Street, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The lull in the eruption is welcome news for the University of Hawaii, which has seen a direct impact to enrollment at UH-Hilo because of Kilauea’s activity. In a video published by the University of Hawaii System on Friday, UH president David Lassner talked about the lull during his monthly report to UH regents.