The lava level in the Halema‘uma‘u lake, in the crater of Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano, has been dropping since eruptions began on May 3, with a 6.9-magnitude earthquake following on May 4, USGS observations have shown.

By May 7, the level was 220 meters below the crater rim and continuing to drop, the USGS said, with the surface agitated by rock falls from the exposed crater walls.

A number of fissures have opened in the Leilani Estates subdivision of Puna since the May 4 earthquake. On May 8, the USGS said intermittent eruption was continuing. At least 26 homes have been destroyed by the eruptions, and evacuation orders remained in place. Credit: USGS via Storyful