HILO >> Federal geologists are examining samples of water from a growing pond in Kilauea Volcano’s crater.

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory used a drone to collect water samples from Kilauea’s crater, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Wednesday.

They will test the water’s chemistry to find out more about its origin and how much it is interacting with volcanic gases that comes from deep magma.

Geologists confirmed the presence of the water in the bottom of Halemaumau crater this summer. It is the first time in recorded history that water has appeared in the crater.

Kilauea had a major eruption last year that caused the collapse of the crater to below the water table.

Patricia Nadeau, a research geologist with HVO, said there has always been ground water near the Kilauea summit but it had never before reached the surface.