This aerial view into the Pu`u `O`o cinder and spatter cone is toward the southwest. The shimmering hot crust of the lava lake covers most of the crater floor. One small fountain plays along the southwest margin of the lake. The flat terrace surrounding the lake is about 50 m below the steaming cracks on the north rim of the crater (right), where most ground observations of the lake are made. The depth to the lake is measured from the near crater rim.

For several weeks after the eruptive pause ended on September 23, the level of lava in Pu`u `O`o rose and fell 10-15 m, often changing in matter of minutes. The terrace marks the high stand of the lake.