The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's website has posted a dramatic video clip shot by a thermal imaging camera looking into the vent cavity at Halema'uma'u.

The site says the video was shot about 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The website describes the activity within the vent:

"At the beginning of the clip, the lava level is at a high stand, with slowly migrating crustal plates and little spattering. Eventually, small scale spattering begins in the northeast corner of the pond, accompanied by vigorous degassing. As the violent spattering disrupts the surface crust, the lava level falls as the gas volume is released. In this example, the lava level dropped about 30 meters (100 feet)."

To see the video, go to http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php and click on the "images" link near the top of the page.