Halemaumau Halemaumau Pit Crater Halemaumau pit crater is located within the summit caldera of Kilauea Volcano. Halemaumau was the site of most of Kilauea's activity. Inside the crater was an active lava lake. And until 1924, when the lava lake level was high, tourist and scientist were able to get a close look at the lava. From Kilauea caldera, the southwest rift zone and east rift zone begin.
Rift zones are basically cracks in a volcano that radiate from the summit crater.
The cracks are zones of weakness within the volcano where magma can easily escape. The east rift zone is marked by seven pit craters starting from the summit caldera.