The lava lake at Halemaumau crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano on Friday reached its highest level since forming in 2008, giving visitors a dramatic view of pulsating lava.

More than 50 people gathered Thursday night at the Jaggar Museum & Overlook to see the spattering lava, as well as the plume and gas and ash. A Hawaii Volcanoes National Park spokes­woman called the scene "dramatic and beautiful."

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory say it is unclear whether the lake will continue to rise, and that it cycles through filling and falling.

But the lake level seemed to drop a bit early Friday afternoon, and scientists were sent to conduct measurements, said Janet Babb, a geologist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The lake level was measured at 66 feet below the crater rim Thursday afternoon, and lava splatter reached the rim of the Overlook crater.

Scientists at the observatory reported the lake level appeared to have risen a few yards higher Friday morning. Babb said the lake level rose to 49 to 52 feet below the crater rim when measured a little before 7:40 a.m.

The prior record set in 2012 was about 72 feet below the crater rim.

The high lava level triggered a small collapse from the overhanging west wall and rim of the Overlook crater at about 5:20 a.m. Friday, triggering a small explosive event that threw spatter out onto the Halemaumau crater floor, geologists said.

The rise of the lava lake coincides with inflation at the summit, which began Tuesday. Activity also increased at the summit and along the upper East Rift Zone, and lava breakouts were reported at Puu Oo crater.

Small lava flows from Kilauea erupted sporadically from vents at the south and southeast edges of the crater Thursday. The flows remained in the crater.

Lava flows around Puu Oo remained active, with one flow burning forest about 5 miles northeast of the crater.

Three earthquakes were felt in Hawaii this past week:

On Sunday at 7:47 a.m., a magnitude-2.3 earthquake occurred 7.6 miles southwest of Laupahoehoe on Hawaii island, at a depth of 10.5 miles. On Monday at 9:18 p.m., a magnitude-3.2 earthquake occurred 6.9 miles northeast of Keanae, Maui, at a depth of 9.2 miles. On Tuesday at 11:02 p.m., a magnitude-2.4 earthquake occurred 85 miles east of Wai­kii on Hawaii island at a depth of 15.7 miles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.