Images

At each location of the Hualālai campaign survey, a GPS unit is placed on a levelled tripod centered over a benchmark on the ground surface (pictured here at station KIPA on Kipahe'e crater). The precise location of the GPS is recorded by the receiver, housed in the yellow box.

During March of 2024, HVO is conducting a GPS survey of Hualālai volcano. This survey, usually done every three years, hasn't been conducted since 2015 due to eruptions at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the pandemic, and staff/personnel rotations.

The new MSPwebcam can be remotely controlled at the observatory to zoom in on an area of interest on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. This photo looks north and shows the upper portion of Ocean View Estates. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Regular station maintenance is vital for keeping the HVO monitoring network healthy. Here, weed eating ensures the site won't get overgrown, potentially blocking the solar array. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

An HVO physical science technician installs a new webcam near South Point, looking north to monitor any future activity on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

An aerial view of Mauna Loa, taken from the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on February 6, 2024. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera), the Koa‘e fault system, and the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea on February 6, 2024. This aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u shows the fumarolic areas marked by white alteration that have developed on the lava flows that make up the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS photo by H.

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u, a crater within Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Most of the crater has been filled in by lava erupted since 2020. The flanks of Mauna Loa are visible in the background of this southeast-facing view. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

An aerial view of the Twin Pit Craters near Maunaiki trail in the Ka‘ū Desert of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

This aerial photo shows some of the new cracks that developed as a result of the recent intrusion southwest of Kīlauea's summit.

Pu‘ukoa‘e, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea, is prominent in this aerial photo taken on February 6, 2024. The slopes of Mauna Loa and the Nīnole Hills are visible in the background. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

On February 3, 2024, a team of HVO scientists documented new ground cracks along the Maunaiki Trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, caused by the recent intrusion southwest of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera). These cracks primarily cut the loose Keanakāko‘i tephra which blanketed the region in 1790 CE. Some cracks were over 100 feet (30 meters) long.

This photo shows a crack in spatter and lava previously erupted on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea, with a geologist for scale. The crack likely widened during the recent intrusion southwest of the summit of Kīlauea.

On February 3, 2024, a team of HVO scientists documented new ground cracks in three areas of the Maunaiki Trail in the Ka‘ū Desert, caused by the intrusion at Kīlauea south of the summit caldera. These cracks primarily cut the loose Keanakāko‘i tephra which blanketed the region in 1790 CE. Some cracks were over 100 feet (30 meters) long.

On February 3, 2024, a team of HVO scientists documented ground cracks in three areas, caused by ground deformation from the intrusion at Kīlauea south of the summit caldera. There were many new cracks and some pre-existing cracks in the area widened.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo geology professors and students, along with scientists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, conducted a survey of the Koa‘e fault system on February 3, 2024. Despite very windy conditions, the group was able to make measurements showing ground changes resulting from the recent intrusion in this area.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo geology professor Steve Lundblad takes a level reading during a survey of the Koa‘e fault system on Saturday, February 7, 2024. The KAOE fault system connects Kīlauea's East and Southwest Rift Zones south of the caldera, and a recent intrusion occurred in this area.

On Saturday, February 3, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo scientists and students, and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff, conducted a survey of the Koa‘e fault system to measure changes during the recent intrusive activity southwest of Kīlauea summit caldera. In this photo, two people brace the leveling rod against the strong winds that day.

On February 6, 2024, HVO geologists conducted an overflight of the Koa‘e fault system, south of Kīlauea caldera, and the Southwest Rift Zone to assess cracks observed by ground crews in the area over the weekend. This view shows lava flows from the 1971 Southwest Rift Zone eruption; Kīlauea caldera is visible to the northeast. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

This photo shows where some recent cracks cut across the Maunaiki trail within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as a result of the intrusive activity southwest of Kīlauea summit. On the trail, the cracks are less distinct because of foot traffic has moved the tephra around and started to fill in the cracks. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

On February 3, 2024, a team of HVO scientists documented new ground cracks caused by the intrusion at Kīlauea southwest of the summit caldera. These cracks were observed along the Maunaiki Trail in the Ka‘ū Desert region of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by N. Deligne.