Volcano Watch: HVO announces Volcano Awareness Month programs for January 2020
Neither Kilauea nor Mauna Loa erupted in 2019, but this period of relative quiet must not lead to complacency about Hawaii’s two most active volcanoes. Both will eventually erupt again.
Volcano Watch: Honoring the career and contributions of an HVO shining star
On March 30, 2018, a change occurred within the ranks of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s staff when geophysicist Asta Miklius retired. One month later, a collapse at Pu‘u ‘O‘o heralded the start of Kilauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapses.
Volcano Watch: HVO scientists mentor STEM students at national conference
About a month ago, I attended the 2019 National Diversity in STEM Conference, an annual meeting organized by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, put on in Honolulu this year.
Volcano Watch: Hilo had a close call from the 1881 Mauna Loa lava flow
During the past two centuries, six lava flows erupted from Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone and advanced toward Hilo.
Volcano Watch: Pondering the pond — what Halema‘uma‘u water chemistry tells us
In the tradition of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar’s innovative field methods, HVO recently used a cutting-edge technique to sample the Halema‘uma‘u water lake deep within Kilauea’s collapsed summit crater.
Volcano Watch: Hawaii Department of Health updates Ambient Air Quality Data website
Information about air quality is important to Hawaii residents, particularly those living on the Island of Hawaii, where volcanic activity can lead to frequently changing environmental conditions.
Volcano Watch: Why is the 2018 lava still so hot?
As roads are recut into Kilauea’s 2018 lava flow field, many have been surprised at how hot the lava remains under the surface, even though it is solidified.
Volcano Watch: High-altitude station maintenance on Mauna Loa
U.S. Geological Survey trucks pull off the shoulder of Mauna Loa Observatory Road before dawn.
Volcano Watch: What was that ship doing by the 2018 lava deltas?
In late September, East Hawaii residents with ocean views might have noticed an unusual ship — too small for a cruise ship, too big for a fishing boat — sailing just offshore of the 2018 lava deltas along the Puna coast. It also entered Hilo Harbor, where it deployed several smaller boats that canvassed the bay within the breakwall.
Volcano Watch: Why do so many deep earthquakes happen around Pahala?
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detects tens of thousands of earthquakes each year.
Volcano Watch: Geologic history of Mauna Loa’s southeast flank revealed in new map
The recently published “Geologic map of the central-southeast flank of Mauna Loa volcano” is the culmination of years of field work by the U.S. Geological Survey. This updated map supersedes the “Geologic Map of the Island of Hawaiʻi” (1996) and the “Geologic Map of the State of Hawai‘i” for the Mauna Loa region.
Volcano Watch: How deep is the 2018 dike under Highway 130?
Even though Kilauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone eruption has been over for about a year, steam continues to appear in new places or reappear in old places, and vegetation continues to die because of lingering heat and steam in areas of the 2018 fissures.
Volcano Watch: HVO staff lend a helping hand to Alaska colleagues
Volcano observatories throughout the United States work together to ensure efficient and thorough monitoring of the nation’s active volcanoes. This collaboration is particularly evident during a crisis, such as the 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano.
Volcano Watch: Volcano scientists gather for a volatile meeting
This week, a group of volcanic gas scientists from throughout the United States, including staff from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, will gather at the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash., for a workshop to improve and facilitate collaboration within the volcanic gas community during times of eruption or volcanic unrest.
Volcano Watch: ‘Volcano Watch’ receives national award
“Volcano Watch,” weekly articles written primarily by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff and occasionally by USGS partners and university affiliates, was recently honored by the National Association of Government Communicators.
Volcano Watch: New research sheds light on relationship between Hilina fault system and large earthquakes
The pali (cliffs) of Kilauea’s south flank are some of the volcano’s most striking features.
Volcano Watch: Sub-Antarctic lava lake spied from space
Last month, the entire world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s triumphant flight to the moon and the first human footsteps on the surface of another planetary body on July 20, 1969.
Volcano Watch: What does water in Halema‘uma‘u mean?
The slowly deepening pond of water on the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, the first in recorded history, has captured the interest of media and the public, locally and nationally. Many questions are being asked. The two most frequent are where is the water coming from and what is its importance.
Volcano Watch: HVO now tracking ponds of water, not lava, at Kilauea’s summit
The recent appearance of water at the bottom of Halemaumau, a crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano, has attracted wide attention and generated many questions.
Volcano Watch: Water or no water? That is — or was — the question
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists usually base their research on observations, either visual or instrumental. Interpretations come from these observations, so they must be as good as possible. Incorrect observations can lead, and have led, to erroneous interpretations.