Volcano Watch — The Founding of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

We know that HVO's origin began in 1909 and that it was fully established by July 1912. But, the question of when HVO was actually founded remains. To answer it, we look back at when it all started.

In April 1909, Thomas A. Jaggar, Jr., was traveling to Japan to learn how its scientists monitor volcanoes. On the way, he stopped in Honolulu, where he delivered a speech on the need for careful and systematic study of volcanoes. He said that "no better place could be found for it than … close to the crater of Kīlauea." He also extolled the accomplishments of American scientist, Frank A. Perret, so successful at studying Italian volcanoes and forecasting their behavior that the Crown of Italy decorated him "for his splendid service to science and humanity."

While in Honolulu, Jaggar spoke with Lorrin A. Thurston, who mentioned that establishing an observatory at Kīlauea had been discussed locally for many years. Thurston and other local businessmen promised to raise money in support.

So, as early as April 1909, HVO's founding was underway. It was a "twinkle in the eye," but not yet a certainty.

Jaggar had difficulty getting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to allow the funds, set aside to establish an earth observatory in Massachusetts, to be spent in Hawai‘i. But by October 1910, he had found a way to purchase specialized equipment and have it shipped to Honolulu in anticipation of starting his work. The "Jaggar plan" was in motion.

In January 1911, Frank Perret travelled from Italy to Boston, where he delivered lectures and met with Jaggar to discuss the latter's "Hawaiian plan." Jaggar had been trying (unsuccessfully) to get back to Hawai‘ii since 1909—he knew that a "demonstration" of his plans and intentions was needed to sustain the interest of his Honolulu supporters. Perret promised to go to Hawai‘i that summer (1911), even after Jaggar backed out.

Frank Perret, the most famous volcanologist of that time, arrived at the edge of Kīlauea caldera on July 2, 1911. During his first week, he began observing the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater, stretching a 1200-ft cable across the crater, and constructing a hut for observers and instruments at the eastern edge of the crater.

By the end of July, the temperature of molten lava was measured with sensors lowered from the cable—a first. The "Technology Station," named after its sponsor, MIT, was completed, and immediately occupied. Perret had indeed set Jaggar's vision in motion, but HVO had not yet been founded.

The date of Jaggar's arrival kept slipping, and, eventually, Perret felt he had to return to his beloved Italy. So, unfortunately, the careful, continuous observations of Halema‘uma‘u activity, recorded by Perret, were interrupted for several months at the end of 1911.

Jaggar finally arrived at the Volcano House hotel on January 17, 1912. That afternoon, he resumed observations and documentation of the active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. Thus began the continuous record of volcanic activity, which was one of Jaggar's goals for an observatory. Because that basis of the observatory was solidly established on this date, it is often cited as the founding of HVO.

But there is another interpretation on the start of HVO. John Dvorak, a former HVO staff scientist who has spent years researching Jaggar, reports that HVO was founded when Jaggar received his first paycheck on July 1, 1912. Dvorak has written an excellent article on HVO's beginnings, which can be accessed at http://ptonline.aip.org/journals/doc/PHTOAD-ft/vol_64/iss_5/32_1.shtml.

No matter how one defines HVO's founding, or what date is chosen, it's clear that it occurred some time between July 2, 1911 (Perret's arrival), and July 1, 1912 (Jaggar's first paycheck).

HVO's current staff will begin the celebration of the observatory's 100th anniversary in January 2012 and continue it throughout the year. Information about events and activities will be posted in local newspapers and on the HVO Web site. Stay tuned for an exciting centennial year!

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Volcano Activity Update

A small lava lake was present deep within the Halema‘uma‘u Overlook vent during the past week. Several deflation/inflation cycles were recorded at the summit throughout the week. The level of the lake fell during the deflation and rose again slightly during the inflation, exposing a lava cascade within the vent when the lake level was low. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in relatively high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

Lava also erupted continuously within Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō over the past week, feeding a lava lake perched above the crater floor. The crater floor was 39 m (128 ft) below the east rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō when measured on June 1. Two vents on the west and southwest crater floor reactivated this week, producing minor flows on the west side of the crater. Small overflows continued to pour over the edges of the perched lava lake. No lava is erupting outside the crater.

One earthquake beneath Hawai‘i Island was reported felt this past week. A magnitude-3.4 earthquake occurred at 12:49 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, HST, and was located 6 km (4 mi) south of Kalapana at a depth of 39 km (24 mi).