On September 17, the thermal camera “showed surface temperatures on the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u of approximately 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), similar to previous observations. The water level continues to slowly rise, but there were no significant changes observed” during the visit. USGS images by M. Patrick.

(BIVN) – Water continues to pond at the bottom of Halemaʻumaʻu inside the Kīlauea summit caldera, and new video recorded by scientists appears to show the influx of water into the pond, circulating and steaming.

Kīlauea is no longer erupting, and the pond at the bottom of Halema’uma’u, which began forming on July 25, 2019, continues to slowly expand and deepen.

In a timelapse video recorded on September 17 and posted to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website, steam can be seen “wafting above the pond shifts in the wind, and circulation of the water is evident in areas of sharp color boundaries”.

Three days later, another time-lapse video again showed circulation, but this time the scientists noted: “There appears to be an influx of water along the southern (right) shoreline. A broader eastward flow of water (toward top of image) is evident.”

Two days later (September 22) USGS HVO scientist Matt Patrick recorded more timelapse video, and reported that “water appears to be flowing into the pond from several locations, including the southern boundary (right side in this image).”

“A small amount of material is also seen floating on the surface at the eastern end of the pond”, a video caption stated.

The apparent influx of water bolsters the theory that the pond is a result of groundwater.

“Two potential sources of the water are recent rainfall and groundwater,” the USGS HVO wrote in an August 2019 Volcano Watch article. “At this writing, either remains a possibility. Circumstantial evidence, however, favors groundwater.”