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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.

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Volcano Watch — Old bombs found on Mauna Loa: The rest of the story (Part 2)

Volcano Watch — Old bombs found on Mauna Loa: The rest of the story (Part 2)

Last week's Volcano Watch provided details of events leading up to the dropping of bombs on a Mauna Loa lava flow on December 27, 1935. Here's the...

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Volcano Watch — Old bombs found on Mauna Loa: The rest of the story (Part 1)

Volcano Watch — Old bombs found on Mauna Loa: The rest of the story (Part 1)

In late February 2020, Hawaii media reported on the recent discovery of two bombs on the north flank of Mauna Loa, but details were lacking. Today, we...

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Volcano Watch — This week marks 65 years since Kīlauea Volcano's 1955 eruption

Volcano Watch — This week marks 65 years since Kīlauea Volcano's 1955 eruption

February 28, 2020, marks the 65th anniversary of Kīlauea Volcano's 1955 lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption. In recognition of this historic event...

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Volcano Watch — Chemical analyses shed light on possible origins of island ash deposits

Volcano Watch — Chemical analyses shed light on possible origins of island ash deposits

The origin(s) of volcanic ash deposits on the Island of Hawai‘i have been an enigma, especially those found on and between Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. We...

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Volcano Watch — Endangered plant survives volcanic hotspot, but is challenged by invasive species

Volcano Watch — Endangered plant survives volcanic hotspot, but is challenged by invasive species

Portulaca sclerocarpa (also known as ‘Ihi mākole) is a critically endangered small succulent plant in the purslane family (Portulacaceae). It only...

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Volcano Watch — People and jobs at HVO, Part 5: Geologists rock!

Volcano Watch — People and jobs at HVO, Part 5: Geologists rock!

Continuing with the Volcano Awareness Month theme of people and their work at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, we move on to another role at HVO...

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Volcano Watch — People and jobs at HVO, Part 4: The shaky work of HVO seismologists

Volcano Watch — People and jobs at HVO, Part 4: The shaky work of HVO seismologists

When I was seven years old, I won my county's earthquake safety poster contest. I remember going to a special award luncheon with the mayor, who...

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Volcano Watch — HVO people and jobs, Part 3: Gas geochemistry work stinks!

Volcano Watch — HVO people and jobs, Part 3: Gas geochemistry work stinks!

As many residents of the Island of Hawai‘i can attest, volcanic gases can stink—literally. But for those of us at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano...

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Volcano Watch — HVO people and jobs, Part 2: Who and what is the Scientist-in-Charge?

Volcano Watch — HVO people and jobs, Part 2: Who and what is the Scientist-in-Charge?

Since the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) was founded by the visionary Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar in 1912, a senior scientist has been responsible for...

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Volcano Watch — People and jobs at HVO, Part 1: What on earth is a geodesist?

Volcano Watch — People and jobs at HVO, Part 1: What on earth is a geodesist?

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is responsible for monitoring active volcanoes in Hawaii, which involves assessing hazards and...

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Volcano Watch — Scientists look to Hawaiian chants for mention of past crater lakes

Volcano Watch — Scientists look to Hawaiian chants for mention of past crater lakes

The Halema‘uma‘u crater lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano is on everyone's mind at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO).

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Volcano Watch — Johanne Schmith, Danish postdoctoral fellow, helps HVO understand Kīlauea's explosive eruptions

Volcano Watch — Johanne Schmith, Danish postdoctoral fellow, helps HVO understand Kīlauea's explosive eruptions

Kīlauea Volcano attracts researchers from all over the world.

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