Yes, the Map Showing Lava-Flow Hazards Zones on Hawai'i Island is still accurate. It was most recently revised in 1992.
The map is intended to communicate long-term lava-flow hazards, rather than short-term hazards, which can change daily during periods of eruptive activity.
Hazard assessments are based on the assumption that future eruptions will be similar to those in the past. For the past 200 years, eruptions of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa have occurred at their summits and/or along one of their rift zones—and future eruptions on these volcanoes are likely to occur in the same areas.
Learn more: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Lava-Flow Hazards
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What health hazards are posed by vog (volcanic smog)?
Vog poses a health hazard by aggravating preexisting respiratory ailments. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas can irritate skin and the tissues and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat, and can penetrate airways, producing respiratory distress in some individuals. Aerosol particles in vog can also penetrate deep into human lungs and, at elevated levels, can induce symptoms of asthma. Physical...
Why is an area freshly covered by lava designated as Zone 2 on the lava-flow hazard map, while another area not recently threatened by lava is designated as Zone 1?
Lava-flow hazard zones on Hawai'i Island reflect the long-term hazard of lava flows, not the short term hazard. Rate of lava coverage—not how recently lava covered an area—is the basis of long-term lava flow hazard. Zone 1: "Includes the summits and rift zones of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa (left) where vents have been repeatedly active in historic time." These areas are the most dangerous because all...
What can a homeowner do if a company uses the Lava Flow Hazard Map for Hawai'i Island to set elevated insurance or mortgage rates?
An option is to contact the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The USGS Lava-Flow Hazard Zone Map is meant to convey relative volcanic hazard rather than risk. A volcanic hazard is a destructive event that can occur in a given area or location, such as a lava flow or a volcanic earthquake, along with the probability of the event's occurrence. It is important to be aware...
Will the Hawai'i lava-flow hazard zone map be revised?
The Map Showing Lava-Flow Hazard Zones on Hawai'i Island reflects long-term lava-flow hazards based on geologic data: the behavior of Hawaiian volcanoes over decades to centuries, the distribution and ages of lava flows and volcanic vents, the structure of the volcano, and topography. The map will not be revised until the geologic processes/structures/topography of the volcanoes change enough to...
How were the Hawai’i lava-flow hazard zones determined?
The hazard zones for Hawai'i Island are based on: The locations of probable eruption sites (which are based on past eruption sites) The likely paths of lava flows erupted from those sites (based on topography and the paths of previous lava flows) The frequency of lava flow inundation of an area over the past several thousand years. The hazard zones also take into account structural and topographic...
What is the difference between "magma" and "lava"?
Scientists use the term magma for molten rock that is underground and lava for molten rock that breaks through the Earth's surface.
Where is the largest active volcano in the world?
Rising gradually to more than 4 km (2.5 mi) above sea level, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on our planet. Its submarine flanks descend to the sea floor an additional 5 km (3 mi), and the sea floor in turn is depressed by Mauna Loa's great mass another 8 km (5 mi). This makes the volcano's summit about 17 km (10.5 mi) above its base! Learn more: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Do earthquakes large enough to collapse buildings and roads accompany volcanic eruptions?
Not usually. Earthquakes associated with eruptions rarely exceed magnitude 5, and these moderate earthquakes are not big enough to destroy buildings and roads. The largest earthquakes at Mount St. Helens in 1980 were magnitude 5, large enough to sway trees and damage buildings, but not destroy them. During the huge eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, dozens of light to moderate...
How hot is a Hawaiian volcano?
Very hot!! Here are some temperatures recorded at different times and locations: The eruption temperature of Kīlauea lava is about 1,170 degrees Celsius (2,140 degrees Fahrenheit). The temperature of the lava in the tubes is about 1,250 degrees Celsius (2,200 degrees Fahrenheit). The tube system of episode 53 (Pu'u O'o eruption) carried lava for 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the vent to the sea...
Related Content
- FAQ
What health hazards are posed by vog (volcanic smog)?
Vog poses a health hazard by aggravating preexisting respiratory ailments. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas can irritate skin and the tissues and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat, and can penetrate airways, producing respiratory distress in some individuals. Aerosol particles in vog can also penetrate deep into human lungs and, at elevated levels, can induce symptoms of asthma. Physical...
Why is an area freshly covered by lava designated as Zone 2 on the lava-flow hazard map, while another area not recently threatened by lava is designated as Zone 1?
Lava-flow hazard zones on Hawai'i Island reflect the long-term hazard of lava flows, not the short term hazard. Rate of lava coverage—not how recently lava covered an area—is the basis of long-term lava flow hazard. Zone 1: "Includes the summits and rift zones of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa (left) where vents have been repeatedly active in historic time." These areas are the most dangerous because all...
What can a homeowner do if a company uses the Lava Flow Hazard Map for Hawai'i Island to set elevated insurance or mortgage rates?
An option is to contact the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The USGS Lava-Flow Hazard Zone Map is meant to convey relative volcanic hazard rather than risk. A volcanic hazard is a destructive event that can occur in a given area or location, such as a lava flow or a volcanic earthquake, along with the probability of the event's occurrence. It is important to be aware...
Will the Hawai'i lava-flow hazard zone map be revised?
The Map Showing Lava-Flow Hazard Zones on Hawai'i Island reflects long-term lava-flow hazards based on geologic data: the behavior of Hawaiian volcanoes over decades to centuries, the distribution and ages of lava flows and volcanic vents, the structure of the volcano, and topography. The map will not be revised until the geologic processes/structures/topography of the volcanoes change enough to...
How were the Hawai’i lava-flow hazard zones determined?
The hazard zones for Hawai'i Island are based on: The locations of probable eruption sites (which are based on past eruption sites) The likely paths of lava flows erupted from those sites (based on topography and the paths of previous lava flows) The frequency of lava flow inundation of an area over the past several thousand years. The hazard zones also take into account structural and topographic...
What is the difference between "magma" and "lava"?
Scientists use the term magma for molten rock that is underground and lava for molten rock that breaks through the Earth's surface.
Where is the largest active volcano in the world?
Rising gradually to more than 4 km (2.5 mi) above sea level, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on our planet. Its submarine flanks descend to the sea floor an additional 5 km (3 mi), and the sea floor in turn is depressed by Mauna Loa's great mass another 8 km (5 mi). This makes the volcano's summit about 17 km (10.5 mi) above its base! Learn more: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Do earthquakes large enough to collapse buildings and roads accompany volcanic eruptions?
Not usually. Earthquakes associated with eruptions rarely exceed magnitude 5, and these moderate earthquakes are not big enough to destroy buildings and roads. The largest earthquakes at Mount St. Helens in 1980 were magnitude 5, large enough to sway trees and damage buildings, but not destroy them. During the huge eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, dozens of light to moderate...
How hot is a Hawaiian volcano?
Very hot!! Here are some temperatures recorded at different times and locations: The eruption temperature of Kīlauea lava is about 1,170 degrees Celsius (2,140 degrees Fahrenheit). The temperature of the lava in the tubes is about 1,250 degrees Celsius (2,200 degrees Fahrenheit). The tube system of episode 53 (Pu'u O'o eruption) carried lava for 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the vent to the sea...
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