CoffeeBabies

Hi, experts! Resident of the Big Island of Hawaii here, with a question about Kilauea volcano. The USGS fact sheets tell us that Kilauea has had long periods of explosive phases in the past -- which are much more violent than the effusive phase we have been in. How do we know if we're switching from an effusive phase to an explosive phase? Does the drop in Halema'uma'u Crater's magma levels signal a switch? Or will the lava lake come back, thereby continuing this effusive phase?

Thank you so much, Mike! This has worried me like you wouldn't believe. Happy for the reassurance!