Fig. 6: Schematic showing the changes leading to the 2018 eruption.
From: The cascading origin of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and implications for future forecasting
a Cross-section of Kīlauea from the summit down the East Rift Zone (ERZ), prior to 2018. Two simultaneous eruptions were occurring (summit and Puʻu ʻŌʻō). b Proposed changes at Puʻu ʻŌʻō that led to the 2018 eruption. A restriction between the Puʻu ʻŌʻō magma reservoir and lava flow vent is hypothesized to have reduced lava flow effusion rate, causing magma to backup and accumulate in the magmatic system. This produced pressurization at Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and the summit via the ERZ magma conduit. c Onset of the 2018 eruption sequence at Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Overpressure produced a local intrusion on the west flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō and initiated the larger injection of magma into the lower ERZ. Magma flow into LERZ triggered drainage of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō magma reservoir, causing crater floor collapse and termination of the lava flow vent.
