This story begins after Kīlauea’s May 4, 2018, M6.9 earthquake and lower East Rift Zone eruption. The M6.9 earthquake resulted in seaward motion at the surface of Kīlauea’s south flank of up to approximately 0.5 m as measured by Global Positioning System monitoring stations operated by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Following
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
VOLCANOWatch: A Closer Look at Kīlauea’s Newest Lava
New eruptions at Kīlauea provide a glimpse into what is happening inside the volcano and its magma reservoirs. The recent summit eruption, which began on the night of 20 December 2020, allows us to “see inside” the volcano
VOLCANOWatch: A Small but Notable Magma Intrusion at Kīlauea’s Summit
The 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit caldera collapse marked the end of the 35-year-long Puʻu ʻŌʻō and 10-year-long summit lava lake eruptions, and the beginning of a new chapter in Kīlauea Volcano activity. The volcano is continuing to behave in ways that are a
VOLCANOWatch: Recent Activity Reminds Us to Maintain Our Volcano Awareness
Though there hasn’t been an eruption in Hawai‘i in 2020, the year has hardly been quiet—earthquake swarms, an elevated alert-level on Mauna Loa, and a growing water lake on Kīlauea are reminders that island residents should be aware of Hawaiʻi’s active volcanoes. In January 2021, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will spearhead Hawaiʻi’s 12th annual “Volcano
VOLCANOWatch: HVO Camera Network Reconfiguration and Upgrades Coming Soon
Over the past two decades, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has set up a camera network system to monitor visual changes at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. This network was
VOLCANOWatch: On the Surface of Kīlauea’s New Landscape, a Story is Told
Kīlauea’s 2018 summit collapse dramatically transformed the geometry and appearance of Halema‘uma‘u crater and Kīlauea caldera. Last week’s “Volcano Watch” article described how the 2018 events impacted the magma plumbing
VOLCANOWatch: Doppler Radar in Ka‘ū, More than a Weather Radar
Driving Highway 11 from Volcano to Wai‘ōhinu on sunny, vog-free days, it’s hard to miss that bright white soccer ball on the slope of Mauna Loa above Pāhala Town.
VOLCANOWatch: How Hot is Kīlauea’s Summit Water Lake?
The recent first anniversary of the appearance of water at Kīlauea’s summit is a reminder of how much has changed since the end of the 2018 eruption and summit collapse.
VOLCANOWatch: Deep Repeating Earthquakes Beneath Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea volcano hasn’t erupted in over 4,500 years, but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet. In fact, for decades it has been hiding one of the most unique seismic signals
VOLCANOWatch: Tech Talk Part 2
Last week’s “Volcano Watch” article introduced the role of “technician” at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. This week, we present the introspective of Steven Fuke’s life (schematic diagram) as an “electronics