Volcanic ash leachate and rainwater chemistry from increased 2018 activity of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

In early May 2018, activity at Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, increased, with heightened ash production from the summit commencing on May 17. Volcanic ash can scavenge volatile components from volcanic plumes, resulting in the deposition of potentially harmful elements during ash fallout. Leaching of these species (e.g., by rainfall or in water catchment systems) can have implications for agriculture, water resources and human health. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is sampling volcanic ash and utilizing ash leachate analyses as part of the assessment of hazards from the ongoing eruption of Kilauea Volcano. We acquired 30 ash samples erupted from the summit of Kilauea Volcano and collected downwind between May 10 and May 28. The samples were collected by either USGS scientists or citizens who live in areas experiencing ashfall. Care was taken to source both proximal (