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Observatory Messages

This page displays the latest volcano observatory short messages issued by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. These short messages are quick status updates published on our website, social media, RSS and JSON. They supplement more detailed official products published in the Volcano Notification Service. 

Filter Total Items: 556
Kilauea Message Sun, 10 Jun 2018 01:06:22 HST
At 12:51 AM HST, another small explosion occurred at Kīlauea's summit; equivalent magnitude was M5.4; event widely felt in Volcano area; based on past events, minor ashfall may occur on the south part of the island.
Kilauea Message Sat, 09 Jun 2018 05:11:06 HST
Small explosion (typical of past events) at Kīlauea's summit at 4:48 AM HST; PTWC reports M5.2; shaking equal to M4.3. Felt in Volcano area and as far away as Hilo. Ashfall may impact communities in south part of island.
Kilauea Message Sat, 09 Jun 2018 03:17:12 HST
Summit seismicity is elevated, with up to 35 located earthquakes per hour (several of which have been felt in the Volcano area). Based on previous patterns, a small explosion is expected from the summit within hours.
Kilauea Message Fri, 08 Jun 2018 03:05:32 HST
At 2:44 AM HST, a small explosion occurred from Kīlauea's summit. PTWC magnitude is 5.5, but shaking was equivalent to a ~M4 event. No radar observations, but satellites suggest any plume is less than 10,000 feet ASL.
Kilauea Message Thu, 07 Jun 2018 06:58:55 HST
HVO's morning overflight confirms no major changes to the Fissure 8 lava flow field. Lava is entering the ocean along a broad front at Vacationland and Kapoho Bay.
Kilauea Message Thu, 07 Jun 2018 03:03:35 HST
HVO geologists report no activity in the Fissure 8 lobe that was advancing north around the Four Corners cinder pit; UHH UAS team reports no lava from the main channel is flowing toward the northern lobe of the Fissure 8 flow.
Kilauea Message Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:38:17 HST
Explosive eruption at Kīlauea summit, equivalent to energy release of M5.6 (preliminary), occurred at 4:07 PM HST. Ash plume reached 10,000 ft above sea level. Downwind communities may experience ashfall.
Kilauea Message Wed, 06 Jun 2018 07:12:30 HST
6:30 AM HST overflight confirms Vacationland area completely covered; flows extended 100 yards north in Kapoho Beach Lots; lava entering ocean at Vacationland; no other changes to flow field; Fissure 8 fountaining still strong
Kilauea Message Tue, 05 Jun 2018 07:02:08 HST
HVO Overflight at 6:30 AM HST confirms lava extends 0.7 miles into Kapoho Bay; most of Vacationland and all but northern edge of Kapoho Beach Lots inundated; Fissure 8 fountain to 150' but lava channel still full.
Kilauea Message Tue, 05 Jun 2018 04:50:56 HST
A small explosion occurred at Kīlauea's summit at 4:32 AM HST. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports the event as an M5.6 earthquake. NWS reports a plume to 5000' ASL. This is similar to other events of the past few weeks.
Kilauea Message Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:26:11 HST
As of 6:30 AM overflight, lava has built a delta a few hundred yards into Kapoho Bay; flow front is about 0.5 miles wide; laze plume blowing onshore but dissipating quickly; small breakout above Kapoho cone cinder pit.
Kilauea Message Mon, 04 Jun 2018 03:20:07 HST
A local videographer filmed a lava ocean entry at Kapoho Bay starting around 10:30 PM HST on June 3. The entry was not associated with a sesimic signal. The 6 AM overflight will confirm the entry and it's characteristics.
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