Lava lake bubbles up on Kilauea volcano in Hawaii

Large round bubbles of lava started splattering on the surface of a lava lake on the Hawaiian island of Kilauea this week.

Located in the Overlook crater, within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of the Kilauea volcano, the lava lake is known to bubble and expand regularly. It is usually at least 100 feet below the floor of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. 

Early on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the lava has risen about 32 feet.

The Kilauea summit last erupted nearly five years ago. According to the USGS, the vent has been active since that March 19, 2008 eruption.

In the years since, the lake has bubbled often, overflowing the inner ledge in October 2012 and again in January 2013.