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.
Volcano Watch: Mauna Loa’s 1935 lava flow seen in current media coverage of Maunakea
In ongoing media coverage of demonstrations at the base of the Maunakea Access Road, many hundreds of people can be seen standing on a black lava flow that surrounds the Puʻuhuluhulu Native Tree Sanctuary adjacent to Daniel K. Inouye Highway. That same lava flow continues on the other side of the highway, which traverses the saddle between Mauna Loa and Maunakea.
Volcano Watch: Heat and gases linger on Kilauea’s lower East Rift Zone
One year ago, activity on Kilauea Volcano was remarkably different than it is today.
Volcano Watch: Mauna Loa’s 1975 eruption in terms of today’s Volcano Alert Level
Shortly before midnight July 5, 1975, Mauna Loa Volcano awakened with a shudder.
Volcano Watch: USGS Volcano Notification Service informs island residents about Hawaiian volcanoes
Hawaii residents are likely familiar with the Volcano Activity Updates that the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issues for Kilauea and other active Hawaiian volcanoes. These updates, which provide situational awareness of volcanic activity and hazards, were formally established in 2006.
Volcano Watch: Getting in the (rift) zone — why and how they erupt
Kilauea Volcano has two rift zones.
Volcano Watch: Reading the rainbow; How to interpret an interferogram
Since the early 1990s, scientists have used radar satellites to map movement, or deformation, of Earth’s surface.
Volcano Watch: Seeing the Earth shake on your screen
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, along with its partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the National Strong-Motion Project, operates a network of seismic monitoring stations on the Island of Hawaii and throughout the state.
Volcano Watch: New eyes in the sky for monitoring Hawaiian volcanoes
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is no rookie when it comes to using flight to assist with monitoring Hawaiian volcanoes.
Volcano Watch: USGS to survey Kilauea from summit to Kumukahi
Since the end of 2018’s volcanic activity, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have wanted to resurvey Kilauea Volcano’s ground surface to document changes brought about by the Puna eruption and summit collapse. Doing so would allow us to more accurately answer questions about the total volumes of erupted lava and summit subsidence that occurred last summer.
Volcano Watch: 2019 marks 50th anniversary of Mauna Ulu eruption
May 24 is a notable date in Kilauea Volcano’s history.
Volcano Watch: Students use science for the benefit of their communities
During the 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano, when fissures erupted and lava flowed in the lower East Rift Zone, many Puna residents were displaced from their homes. We, as a community, watched from the sidelines as the eruption went on, helpless in averting the course of nature.
Volcano Watch: New insights gained from Kilauea Volcano’s 2018 summit collapses
A year ago, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and Island of Hawaii residents were in the throes of a historically unprecedented series of events for Kilauea.
HVO geologists recall their first day of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption
With the one-year anniversary of the onset of Kilauea Volcano’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption upon us, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff, like many Hawaii residents, are reflecting on this historic event.
Volcano Watch: What we’ve learned from Kilauea’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption
May 3, 2019, marks the one year anniversary of the start of Kilauea Volcano’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption.
What caused — or did not cause — the 2018 Kilauea eruption?
When a major geologic event occurs, scientists who study such events and the people directly or indirectly impacted by it seek to understand its cause.
Volcano Watch: Eruption pause provides opportunity to probe volcanic pollution
The end of Kilauea’s 2018 eruption this past September was accompanied by an enormous decrease in the amount of sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) emitted from the volcano. This led to beautifully clear skies gracing the Island of Hawaii, particularly noticeable on the west side, where the volcanic pollution known as vog chronically collected in past years.
Volcano Watch: New outcrops make good geology
A good field geologist is an opportunist.