Volcano Watch: Keeping informed about Hawaiian volcanoes is the first step to preparedness

C. PARCHETA/USGS photo

Spectacular aerial view of Kilauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone lava flows advancing over Pulama pali in mid-December 2017. As surface lava flows moved through the center kipuka (forested area) on the pali, smoke rose from the burning vegetation. Gases emitted from Pu‘u ‘O‘o, the source of the 61g lava flow, can be seen in the distance above the smoke from the burning kipuka. Mauna Loa, left, and Mauna Kea, right, are visible in the far distance. If you look carefully in front of Mauna Loa, you can see the gas plume rising above Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kilauea. Capturing the summit and East Rift Zone eruptions in one photo is a rare sight.

With recent attention focused on the need to be prepared for all hazards, this week’s Volcano Watch offers ways to stay informed about Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes.