New USGS Data Release featuring laser rangefinder measurements at Kīlauea summit
The surface elevation of lava lakes is an important parameter that can provide insight on the underlying magma reservoir pressure as well as outgassing dynamics of the magmatic system. Lava lake elevation may also be useful in forecasting potentially hazardous eruptions on a volcano’s flanks (Burgi and others 2014; Patrick and others 2015, 2020). Precise measurements of lava lake elevation have been challenging in the past, due to thick volcanic gas plumes and the inaccessibility of most lava lakes. New technologies, such as laser rangefinders, provides new opportunities to measure lava levels with high accuracy and sample rates. In this data