Persistent lava lakes are a rare phenomenon . Only a few volcanoes have hosted persistent or near-persistent lava lakes during recent decades : Kīlauea had two persistent lava lakes : one in the Halemaʻumaʻu vent cavity within the summit caldera , and another within the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone located on the east rift zone of the volcano . In May 2018 , both of these lava lakes disappeared as a result of increased activity in Kīlauea 's east rift zone . However , the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is certain that the Halemaumau lava lake will eventually return
increased activity
2018 lower Puna eruption
Lava lake