USGS photo by M. Patrick, 08-27-2019.

(BIVN) – Clear weather on Tuesday provided scientists with ideal conditions for observing of the water pond at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory posted more photos on its website, and reported that routine laser rangefinder measurements indicate that the pond continues to rise. “The rate at which the water is rising is estimated to be less than one meter (yard) per week, so day to day changes in the pond dimensions are subtle,” the scientists wrote.

A telephoto view of the water pond showed “most of the water’s surface is greenish-yellow in color,” HVO said. “Steaming across the water rises slowly and moves with the shifting wind. Shimmering on the water, visible as tiny white specks in this image, appears on the pond surface intermittently.”

USGS CAPTION: What a difference a fortnight can make! These photos show the growth of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u over a period of two weeks. On August 7, the main pond was about 15 meters (yards) wide and separated from two smaller ponds; by the next day, the water level has risen enough that all three ponds were joined. On August 23, the single elongate pond was about 35 meters (yards) wide and about 80 meters (yards) long—and still growing. USGS photos by D. Swanson.

Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist Jim Kauahikaua recently talked about the Halemaʻumaʻu water pond during a radio interview with Sherry Bracken, and what the new feature might mean as far as future volcanic activity.