Kilauea volcano simmered as geologists prepared for a potential violent eruption in Hawaii.

The US Geological Survey's (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory identified a lava pond within the north vent of the volcano's ongoing summit eruption during a helicopter overflight on August 5.

Officials said this lava pond was actively supplying a subterranean lava tube on the eastern side of the vent cone, channeling molten rock toward the floor of Halema'uma'u crater.

They noted that such activity has historically preceded the onset of new eruptive episodes during the current eruption cycle, which began on December 23 last year.

Kilauea is the world's most active volcanic mass and is the central feature of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Its caldera is nearly three miles long and two miles wide, with an area of more than four square miles.