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The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is hosting a community meeting at the Pahoa Community Center on July 7 from 6-7:30 PM about an upcoming helicopter survey over unpopulated part of Kīlauea volcano. During the meeting, which is free and open to the public, USGS scientists will describe the survey and geophysical techniques being used, as well as the data being collected.
The airborne electromagnetic survey will take place from July 5-25, 2022, and the data collected will be used to image shallow (upper 2,000 ft) magmatic structure, fault systems, and groundwater pathways over Kīlauea volcano. This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157), which supports investigations into the current state of Kīlauea volcano following the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse.
The meeting flier is available here.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Public Meeting: Thursday, July 7 at the Pahoa Community Center (15-3022 Kauhale St. Pahoa, HI 96778)
This event is FREE and OPEN to the public.
Presentation and Q/A: 6–6:30 p.m, with talk story to follow until 7:30 p.m.
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a helicopter geophysical survey over unpopulated parts of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi from July 5–25, 2022. The data will be collected with a 50 by 80-ft-oval-shaped, horizontal loop suspended 100 ft below a helicopter flying about 115-165 ft above the ground or treetops. The data will be used to image shallow (upper 2,000 ft) magmatic structure, fault systems, and groundwater pathways over Kīlauea.
The survey aircraft will not fly over or collect any data from residential areas or other regions excluded by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park policies. We understand that helicopter noise can be disruptive, so we will greatly appreciate affected residents' patience and understanding as we collect this extremely important data to help mitigate future eruption hazards. Please see this website for more information: https://www.usgs.gov/supplemental-appropriations-for-disaster-recovery-activities/science/2019-kilauea-disaster
For more information, email askHVO@usgs.gov.
Tentative Survey Schedule
This schedule is very tentative and based on ideal flying conditions every day with no delays. Please see the map of flight line block boundaries that show the proposed survey areas and flight-lines for each day.
July 6, 2022: tentative survey start, FLT 1 and 2
July 7: FLT 3 and 4, Public meeting at Pahoa Community Center: Meeting flier
July 8: FLT 5 and 6
July 9: FLT 7 and 8
July 10: No flights
July 11: FLT 9 – including Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera). USGS scientists will be stationed on the rim of the caldera at Uēkahuna overlook, Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff), and the overlook near Keanakāko‘i Crater to answer questions. FLT 10.
July 12: FLT 11 and 12
July 13: FLT 13 and 14
July 14: FLT 15 and 16
July 15: FLT 17 and 18
After July 15, 6-7 survey flights will continue in lower Puna. These flights will be 2-3 hours in duration, with two flights likely occurring per day weather permitting.
