Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
News
Daily updates about ongoing eruptions, recent images and videos of summit and East Rift Zone volcanic activity, maps, and data about recent earthquakes in Hawaii are posted on the HVO website.
Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and colleagues.
New USGS Data Release - Digital elevation model of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, based on July 2019 airborne lidar surveys
The USGS has recently published a "Digital elevation model of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, based on July 2019 airborne lidar surveys." The surveys covered 219 square miles (567 sq km) and included Kīlauea Volcano's summit, lower East Rift Zone, and middle East Rift Zone (including the entire Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō...
Volcano Watch—A Legendary part of the Wailuku River is again revealed
The "Hawaiian Sup‘pa Man," demi-god Maui, had several adventures on the Wailuku River in the legendary past. He rescued his mother, Hina, who lived in the cave behind Waiānuenue (Rainbow Falls), from Kuna, a threatening mo‘o (legendary giant lizard), eventually killing him and leaving his body as a small island in the pool fronting Hina's cave.
USGS HVO Press Release—Magnitude-4.3 earthquake under Kīlauea Volcano's south flank
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.3 earthquake located beneath Kīlauea Volcano's south flank on Friday, July 3, at 2:19 p.m., HST.
USGS HVO Press Release—Magnitude-4.6 earthquake on Kīlauea Volcano’s south flank
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.6 earthquake located beneath Kīlauea Volcano's south flank on Thursday, July 2, at 11:20 p.m., HST.
Volcano Watch—Tech talk part 2: Schematic diagram of one HVO technician's position
Last week's "Volcano Watch" article introduced the role of "technician" at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). This week, we present the introspective of Steven Fuke's life (schematic diagram) as an "electronics technician" at HVO through his experiences,...
Volcano Watch—Tech talk part 1: Electronic "doctor" tracks health of monitoring stations
As part of Volcano Awareness Month earlier this year, "Volcano Watch" featured five articles focused on different roles at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). These articles described the roles of "geodesist," "...
Volcano Watch—Extraordinary tenure ends for leader of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
The extraordinary leadership of Tina Neal as Scientist-in-Charge (SIC) of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) comes to an end this week, when she returns to the Alaska Volcano Observatory after fulfilling her five-year commitment to HVO. David Phillips, HVO’s Deputy SIC, will take the helm until Tina’s successor arrives.
Volcano Watch—Kīlauea’s 1952 summit eruption ended a long period of inactivity
On June 27, 1952, an eruption started at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, ending a period of quiescence that had lasted nearly 18 years.
New resource on health hazards of volcanic and geothermal gases
The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN) in cooperation with USGS, has released "The Health Hazards of Volcanic and Geothermal Gases: a Guide for the Public." The 20-page booklet addresses health hazards and impacts of volcanic and geothermal gases and aerosols.
Volcano Watch—The 1919–1920 Mauna Iki eruption at Kīlauea Volcano
As many people have noted, the last global pandemic was raging one hundred years ago. Kīlauea was erupting 100 years ago, although it was certainly not quite as significant of an event on the world stage. This eruption a century ago produced the Mauna Iki (“little mountain”) lava shield on Kīlauea’s Southwest Rift Zone.
Volcano Watch — New assessment of Kīlauea’s extreme SO2 emission rates in 2018
If you were around the Island of Hawai‘i—or even other Hawaiian Islands, or Guam!—between May and August of 2018, you likely know that Kīlauea’s lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption released a lot of sulfur dioxide (SO2). But how much is a lot?