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 ‘Ō‘ō
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
VOLCANOWatch: Hilo Had a Close Call from the 1881 Mauna Loa Lava Flow
Over the last two centuries, six lava flows erupted from Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone and advanced toward Hilo. These flows were from eruptions in 1852, 1855-56, 1880-81, 1935-36, 1942,
VOLCANOWatch: 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 Kīlauea’s collapsed summit
VOLCANOWatch: Hawai`i State 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 Hawaiʻi, where volcanic activity can lead to frequently-changing environmental conditions. To better inform residents
VOLCANOWatch: High Altitude Station Maintenance on Mauna Loa
U.S. Geological Survey trucks pull off the shoulder of Mauna Loa Observatory Road before dawn. I park the Jeep at the helicopter staging area, a flat rubble strip flanked by
VOLCANOWatch: What was that Ship Doing by the 2018 Lava Deltas?
In late September 2019, East Hawaiʻi residents with ocean views may have noticed an unusual ship—too small for a cruise ship, too big for a fishing boat—sailing just offshore of
VOLCANOWatch: 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
VOLCANOWatch: HVO Staff Lend a Helping Hand to Alaska Colleagues
Volcano observatories across 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, like the 2018
VOLCANOWatch: New Research Sheds Light on Relationship Between Hilina Fault System and Large Earthquakes
The pali (cliffs) of Kīlauea’s south flank are some of the volcano’s most striking features. Reaching up to 500 m (1500 ft) high, they stand out against the otherwise gentle
VOLCANOWatch: What Does Water in Halemaʻumaʻu Mean?
The slowly deepening pond of water on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, the first in recorded history, has captured the interest of media and the public, both locally and nationally. Many