The rising lava lake at the summit of Kilauea Volcano has flowed over its rim onto the Halemaumau crater floor, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Scientists reported the overflow of the lake occurred at about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday. Several more overflows followed as of noon Wednesday. This is the first time the lake has spilled onto the crater floor since the summit eruption began in March 2008.

The overflow followed an explosion caused by rocks falling into the lake Tuesday morning. The blast sent spatter or fragments of molten lava onto the crater’s rim, 280 feet above the lake.

Spatter also struck and burned parts of the remaining fencing of the Halemaumau overlook that remains closed. "Spatter from the explosion also landed on the Halemaumau webcam, melting some of the wire insulation but not enough to interrupt its operation," according to the observatory’s website, where photos and videos of the lava activity are posted.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory spokeswoman Janet Babb said, "Last night was pretty spectacular. The lava lake was so high. There was quite a bit of spattering."

"The lake’s surface is constantly in motion," she added.

An influx of visitors has ventured to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park since the steady rise of the lava lake last week. Visitors increased to approximately 6,000 a day from 4,000 to 5,000 a day, according to park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane.

Before the lake spilled onto the crater floor, Babb noted visitors could only see the glow from the lava lake.

"Now you can see these flows that are kind of spreading out on the floor of Halemaumau crater," she said.

The series of overflows have added new layers of lava, creating somewhat of an embankment around the lake. So far, the level of the lake is perched about 7 feet above the original floor of Halemaumau.

The lake is within the crater that spans about 520 feet by 690 feet.

Due to the increase of visitors anxious to view the mesmerizing lava activity, motorists have been waiting 30 minutes or longer to park.

During peak visitation hours, typically from 4 to 10 p.m., rangers have been redirecting motorists to park at the Kilauea Military Camp ballfield when the parking lots at the Jaggar Museum and Kilauea Overlook are filled.

Visitors who park at the ballfield need to hike a mile to the Jaggar Museum & Overlook to get the closest and best vantage point of the lava lake.

Ferracane said officials expect a surge of visitors this weekend. The national park remains open 24 hours a day.