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October 11, 2023

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicists continue performing the annual GPS survey of Kīlauea. Most Kīlauea and Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey sites have been occupied every year since the early 1990s, whereas the less active volcanoes Hualālai and Haleakalā are surveyed every 3–5 years.

During the annual Kīlauea GPS campaign, scientists temporarily deploy a number of GPS instruments at established benchmarks; their recorded positions can be compared with those from previous years to discern subtle patterns of ground deformation associated with volcanic activity. 

Media
Color photograph of instruments in the field
A GPS survey benchmark is being occupied on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. The metal disk on the ground beneath the tripod is the benchmark, which is cemented to the lava flow surface. Each year during the Kīlauea GPS campaign survey, a high-precision GPS unit is centered over the benchmark to collect data. The height of the GPS unit on the tripod is accounted for when calculating how much the benchmark has moved vertically and horizontally over the past year. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
Media
Color photograph of instrument in the field
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicists continue performing the annual GPS survey of Kīlauea. Most Kīlauea and Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey sites have been occupied every year since the early 1990s, whereas the less active volcanoes Hualālai and Haleakalā are surveyed every 3–5 years.

During the annual Kīlauea GPS campaign, scientists temporarily deploy a number of GPS instruments at established benchmarks; their recorded positions can be compared with those from previous years to discern subtle patterns of ground deformation associated with volcanic activity. These data augment the permanent, continuously recording GPS instruments in HVO's monitoring network. In this photo from October 3, a GPS antenna is mounted on a fixed rod and a GPS receiver, housed in the yellow box, collects data. USGS image by A. Ellis.
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