Arnold Okamura (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Volcano Watch — Current eruption of Kīlauea produces little ground deformation
A volcano is a complex system. During periods of sustained eruption, such as the present time, Kīlauea Volcano undergoes little internal change.
Volcano Watch — Kīlauea and Mars
One of the most highly watched events recently on television occurred on the Fourth of July when the U.S. Mars Pathfinder mission successfully transmitted images from the red planet back to Earth. The panorama of the Martian landing site had a striking semblance to the boulder-strewn field south of Halema`uma`u crater.
Volcano Watch — The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
A popular local morning radio program had a contest early last week, and the question posed was "Where is the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes?" Listeners called in with answers ranging from Tennessee to California before the correct answer of Alaska was given.
Volcano Watch — Earthquake risk can be reduced
Regular readers of this column should not have been surprised last week by the news article stating that the earthquake risk on the Big Island is as high as that of California.
Volcano Watch — Kīlauea sulfur dioxide emissions down by 90%
Sinners or not, many of us living on the island of Hawai`i over the past decade feel that, although we cherish the volcanoes, the smell of sulfur gas and volcanic air pollution, or vog, from Kīlauea has become decidedly unpleasant.
Volcano Watch — Kīlauea Update
Kīlauea Volcano continues to be in a state of repose with no eruptive activity since January 31. Although no molten rock can be seen on the surface of the volcano, seismic and geodetic monitors indicate that magma is moving within.
Volcano Watch — HVO: 1996 in review
As 1996 draws to a close, we can look back and reflect on the tumultuous year that the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory experienced. The year started with the Federal government in a partial shutdown, and HVO operated with a reduced staff for three weeks.
Volcano Watch — Kīlauea has its faults
Visitors to the lava viewing area at the end of the Chain of Craters road in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park travel over one of the largest fault systems on the island on Hawai`i. The Hilina fault system, located within the south flank of Kīlauea Volcano, consists of a series of subparallel and en echelon normal faults.
Volcano Watch — Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project
Early last week, C. Barry Raleigh, Dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, announced that the National Science Foundation approved and funded the Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project (HSDP) proposal.
Volcano Watch — The three U.S. Volcano Observatories
The U.S. Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program funds the operations of three volcano observatories in the United States. They are the Hawaiian, Cascades, and Alaska Volcano Observatories, and, as their names imply, each is responsible for monitoring volcanoes in a specific geographic area.
Volcano Watch — A massive earthquake swarm at Lo`ihi Seamount
It was only 42 years ago that Lo`ihi and four other seamounts were discovered during a bathymetric survey of the area south and southeast of the Big Island by the U.S.S. Patapsco.
Volcano Watch — Steaming vents at Kīlauea: Stay on the trails!
On Wednesday, July 17, a 10-year-old boy slipped into a large crack in the Sulphur Banks - Steaming Flats area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Unfortunately, the crack was also a vent for steam, which scalded the young visitor and caused second-degree burns.