Lava from Kilauea crater increases

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcanic Observatory reported "vigorous lava flow" activity from Kilauea’s Puu Oo crater over the weekend.

The flow erupted from a cone near the north rim of the crater early Saturday, and a second flow began near the south rim later in the day, the observatory said on its website.

The flows brought active lava to about 30 feet of the north rim of the crater’s edge, damaging an observatory camera tripod set up in the area.

In other updates, the observatory reported that the Kahauale‘a flow, which began April 8, appears to be all but dead, except for a small breakout.

The main branch of the Peace Day flow, which began Sept. 21, 2011, is continuing to enter the ocean in two to three "persistent" locations more than six miles southeast of the crater.

Kilauea’s East Rift Zone has been erupting continously since 1983. It has lasted longer — and spewed out more lava — than any other eruption in at least the last half-century of the volcano’s history.