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Hawaii
The Pacific Region has nine USGS Science Centers in California, Nevada, and Hawaii. The Regional Office, headquartered in Sacramento, provides Center oversight and support, facilitates internal and external collaborations, and works to further USGS strategic science directions.
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The Pacific Region has nine USGS Science Centers in California, Nevada, and Hawaii. The Regional Office, headquartered in Sacramento, provides Center oversight and support, facilitates internal and external collaborations, and works to further USGS strategic science directions.
News
Volcano Watch — Remembering the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout from 2007
Recall this lava flow crisis from years ago: lava breaks out of the normal confines of the long-lived Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption, with flows advancing relentlessly towards residential areas downslope. Over several months, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and County of Hawai‘i Civil Defense Agency monitor the hazards closely in lower Puna as the situation evolves.
Volcano Watch — How has topography been modeled at Hawaii’s volcanoes?
In volcano-related cartography and geographic analyses, especially in Hawaii, there is perhaps nothing more important than having an accurate digital model of topography. Such models depict the three-dimensional nature of the land, which elucidate features from past eruptions and help us to determine potential pathways of future activity. But how are these models created?
Photo and Video Chronology – Kīlauea – November 11, 2020
No significant changes at Kīlauea's summit water lake
Coral Reef Project
Explore the fascinating undersea world of coral reefs. Learn how we map, monitor, and model coral reefs so we can better understand, protect, and preserve our Nation's reefs.
Low-lying areas of tropical Pacific islands
Sea level is rising faster than projected in the western Pacific, so understanding how wave-driven coastal flooding will affect inhabited, low-lying islands—most notably, the familiar ring-shaped atolls—as well as the low-elevation areas of high islands in the Pacific Ocean, is critical for decision-makers in protecting infrastructure or relocating resources and people.
Sea-Level Rise and Climate Change Impacts to Reefs
This study is part of the USGS Coral Reef Project.
The Value of U.S. Coral Reefs for Risk Reduction
Summary of the report, “Rigorously valuing the role of U.S. coral reefs in coastal hazard risk reduction”
Avian Malaria Genomic Research Project
Habitat destruction, invasive plants, non-native predators and competitors, and introduced diseases have decimated the diverse, endemic native forest bird community of Hawai‘i. In particular, avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum), which is transmitted by the introduced Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, has caused dramatic declines and extinctions in many native birds. Fortunately, Cx....
U.S. Seismic Hazard Maps – Hawaii
Seismic hazard maps for Hawaii.
Developing optimal post-fire restoration strategies to build ecosystem resilience - Stephanie Yelenik
Grass-fire cycles are a problem globally, contributing to expanding exotic grasslands, decreased forest area, and increased fire frequency/size worldwide. Thus, to create resilience to fire in these landscapes, we need to better understand grass-fire interactions and how to restore communities that can resist grass invasion.
Modeling invasion risk and impacts to inform management responses - Helen Sofaer
Where are invasive species likely to be introduced or become abundant? How should managers respond? On Hawaii and other Pacific Islands numerous invasive species have altered ecosystems, and new species continue to be introduced. Statistical analyses can characterize risk and inform response strategies.
Modeling invasion risk and impacts to inform management responses - Helen Sofaer
Where are invasive species likely to be introduced or become abundant? How should managers respond? On Hawaii and other Pacific Islands numerous invasive species have altered ecosystems, and new species continue to be introduced. Statistical analyses can characterize risk and inform response strategies.
Update of the Hawaii Seismic Hazard Model Workshop
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Honolulu, HI
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Agenda – PDF (47KB)
All Presentations - (16.4 MB ZIP file)
The following links are to PDF...
Coral Reef Project: Kauaʻi
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working on the island of Kauaʻi to identify circulation patterns and a sediment budget for Hanalei Bay to help determine any effects to the coastal marine ecosystem.
Circulation and Sediment, Nutrient, Contaminant, and Larval Dynamics on Reefs
This study is part of the USGS Coral Reef Project.
Avian Malaria Warning System
Data for this warning system is a compilation of NOAA NCDC Global Historical Climatology Network data, Dark Sky API 2-week forecast data, and calculated historical annual climatic averages based on the NOAA NCDC data. All data has been statistically adjusted for each individual site location based on collected site data.
Cross-reef wave and water level data from coral reef environments
Direct field observations of wave dynamics across coral reefs and the resulting water levels are limited. Here we provide direct in situ measurements of waves and water levels across a number of coral reefs, extending from the fore reef, across the reef crest, and to the shoreline. These measurements are provided to help better understand the evolution of waves across coral reefs and...
Kīlauea 2018 - lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit-collapse events
This geonarrative summarizes Kīlauea’s 2018 events, highlighting the historical context and contributions to science.
Data from Bristle-Thighed Curlews at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, O'ahu, Hawaii, 2012-2014
This data package includes two tables of data for Bristle-thighed curlews (Numenius tahitiensis) captured 2012-2014 on the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge O'ahu, Hawaii (21.68 N, 157.95 W). One table provides capture, banding, morphology, and genetic data. The second table provides mark-resight data for estimating the size of the wintering population on Oahu in April of 2014.
Measurements Used to Determine the Sex of Bristle-thighed Curlews (Numenius tahitiensis)
This data set contains bill and tarsal measurements from 114 Bristle-thighed Curlews, captured on breeding grounds in Alaska, and non-breeding areas in Hawaii and Reitoru atoll, French Polynesia.
Observations of coral reef oceanographic and groundwater properties off Makua, Kauai, HI, USA, August 2016
This data release includes measurements of circulation and waves, profiles of seawater properties, and profiles of resistivity on the shoreline, which can be used to assess the potential for terrestrial groundwater intrusion on the reef and the sources and fate of these water masses. The recent discovery of coral Black Band Disease at Mākua Reef on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi prompted an investigation...
Waiakane, Molokai, HI, 2018 Coral Reef Circulation and Sediment Dynamics Experiment
To better constrain the influence of sea-level rise on waves and sediment transport over a fringing coral reef flat, an experiment was conducted across a large fringing reef off the south shore of Molokai, Hawai’i. Here we provide data on water levels, waves, currents observed during this field effort. Additional data sets will be added as they become available.
Bristle-Thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) Mark-Resight Encounter History from the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge and Surrounding Area, Oahu, Hawaii, 2012-2017
This data set contains one table with mark-resight observations of Bristle-thighed Curlews marked on Oahu, Hawaii, with plastic color leg flags, 2012-2017.
Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System
Information about scientific data collected through field activities conducted by scientists in the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources program
Core logs, scans, photographs, grain size, and radiocarbon data from coastal wetlands on the Hawaiian islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi
This data release supports a study that reports on efforts to estimate future tsunami inundation through stratigraphic analyses of potential tsunami deposits beneath present and former Hawaiian wetlands, coastal lagoons, and river floodplains.
National Water Information System (NWIS) Mapper
The NWIS mapper provides access to over 1.5 million sites contained in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), including sites where current and historical surface-water, groundwater, springs, and atmospheric data has been collected. Users can search by site type, data type, site number, or place.
Coral cover and health determined from seafloor photographs and diver observations, West Hawai'i, 2010-2011
The data described here were collected as part of a larger study to examine habitat conditions and coral health with respect to exposure to submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and urban land uses.
November 23, 2020—Kīlauea 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses
Final map of Kīlauea 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses
September 23, 2020—Updated aerial map of Kīlauea summit
The September 23, 2020, overflight provided aerial photos of Kīlauea's summit that were used to construct an updated map.
Thermal map of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flow field
This preliminary thermal map shows relative surface temperatures across Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow field.
Thermal map of Kīlauea summit
This thermal map was constructed from 1008 images collected by a thermal camera during a helicopter overflight on August 22, 2019.
Kīlauea Caldera Thermal Map 2019 April 08
This thermal map, which was constructed by merging about 1300 images from a morning helicopter overflight on April 8, shows the distribution of some prominent thermal features in Kīlauea's summit caldera.
Kīlauea 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses: a PRELIMINARY MAP
Data depicted on this preliminary map of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses are subject to change.
August 15—Thermal map of fissure system and lava flows
This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 am on Wednesday, August 15.
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, August 14, 2018 2:00 p.m. HST
Map as of 12:00 p.m. HST, August 14, 2018.
August 11—Thermal map of fissure system and lava flows
This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 am on Saturday, August 11.
August 9—Thermal map of fissure system and lava flows
This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 am on Thursday, August 9.
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, August 9, 2018 2:00 p.m. HST
Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, August 9, 2018.
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, August 7, 2018 11:00 a.m. HST
Map as of 11:00 a.m. HST, August 7, 2018.
The Pedestrian Evacuation Analyst is an ArcGIS extension that estimates how long it would take for someone to travel on foot out of a hazardous area that was threatened by a sudden event such as a tsunami, flash flood, or volcanic lahar. It takes into account the elevation changes and the different types of landcover that a person would encounter along the way.
Lake at Kīlauea's summit
Dark brown colors dominated the central and western portions of the lake at Kīlauea's summit. The greenish hues were present in areas that appear to be zone of hot water influx into the lake. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Kīlauea's summit lake between rain showers
A quick visit to the western caldera rim provided brief views of Kīlauea's summit lake between rain showers. The lake colors were particularly vibrant today, with a deep blue-green color in the western end (bottom of photo), with dark brown near the center. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Map of Waiʻōhinu area, Island of Hawaiʻi
Map of Waiʻōhinu area, Island of Hawaiʻi, showing the location of the 3,740 year old age.
Emerging tech as STEM platforms in problem-based learning (Kīlauea)
USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Geophysicist Jefferson Chang talks about technologies that track activity at Hawaiian volcanoes and how crowdsourcing and citizen science can contribute to a greater understanding of hazards, in this presentation to the 2020 SACNAS Advancing Hispanics/Chicanos & Native Americans in Science virtual conference held October 19-24, 2020 (
Close-up image of native sulfur crystals
A close-up image of native sulfur crystals that formed within fumaroles at the Sulphur Banks in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. In addition to sulfur species and other gases, volcanoes emit water vapor. Here, some of the vapor has condensed to liquid water and formed droplets visible on the sulfur crystals. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.
Tubing inserted into a fumarole
Tubing inserted into a fumarole at the Sulphur Banks in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park allows HVO gas scientists to sample gas. The gas travels through the tube into gas sampling bottles for later analyses. USGS photo by M. Warren.
Kīlauea's summit water lake comparison - September 23, 2020
HVO geologists made observations of Kīlauea's summit water lake from the east rim of Halema‘uma‘u. This view point is on the large downdropped block that subsided during the 2018 collapse events. From this spot, a view of the entire lake is possible, providing a new perspective on the growth of the lake. The last visit to this spot was on December 18, 2019, when the lake
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Kīlauea's water lake from the east side - September 23, 2020
This view shows Kīlauea's water lake from the east side of the crater. On September 23, 2020, the western portion of the lake (top of image) was the most varied in color, with patches of greenish and brown water. The majority of the lake surface, however, was the typical tan hue. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Floating material on Kīlauea's summit water lake on September 23, 2020
Small patches of light-colored floating material were seen drifting on the surface of Kīlauea's summit water lake on September 23, 2020. The composition of this material is unknown, but future water sampling missions may provide insight. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Kīlauea’s summit water lake and Crater Rim Drive - September 23, 2020
Portions of Crater Rim Drive, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, appear cracked, offset, and down-dropped in this photo, taken during an overflight of Kīlauea’s summit on September 23, 2020. To the north, Kīlauea’s summit water lake, within Halema‘uma‘u, is visible. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Sulphur Banks area and Ha‘akulamanu trail
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists flew over the Sulphur Banks area and Ha‘akulamanu trail within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on September 23, 2020. Fumaroles in the Sulphur Banks area are sampled approximately every three months by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas geochemists to track long-term changes in volcanic gas chemistry at Kīlauea. USGS photo by K.
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Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) and the Steam Vents area
The weather was overcast during an overflight of Kīlauea's summit on September 23, 2020. This view shows Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) and the Steam Vents area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Extensive cracks in the area allow heated groundwater to escape from underground. Cracks reach up to 63 degrees Celsius (145 degrees Fahrenheit), preventing trees from growing.
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Recall this lava flow crisis from years ago: lava breaks out of the normal confines of the long-lived Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption, with flows advancing relentlessly towards residential areas downslope. Over several months, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and County of Hawai‘i Civil Defense Agency monitor the hazards closely in lower Puna as the situation evolves.
In volcano-related cartography and geographic analyses, especially in Hawaii, there is perhaps nothing more important than having an accurate digital model of topography. Such models depict the three-dimensional nature of the land, which elucidate features from past eruptions and help us to determine potential pathways of future activity. But how are these models created?
No significant changes at Kīlauea's summit water lake
The fires of Hawaii don’t follow the rules of their continental counterparts. There are fire risk factors at play in the island chain that states like California or Arizona simply don’t deal with.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has 5 volcano observatories tasked with monitoring low to high threat volcanoes throughout the United States.
This work, recently published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, discusses the events leading up to Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse. The paper details how the 2018 eruption evolved as a sequence of cascading events, allowing minor changes to cause major destruction and historic changes across the volcano.
Famous for glowing red lava and billowing volcanic plumes, Halema‘uma‘u has long inspired poets, painters and photographers to find meaning in the color and light of this dynamic landscape.
Kīlauea summit water lake changes over the past year
On the evening of Thursday, October 22nd, people living near the summit of Kīlauea Volcano began to feel a series of earthquakes. They were small, and some could even be mistaken for a strong gust of wind blowing against the house.
Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. A small swarm of shallow seismicity over the past 24 hours has occurred near the Ka‘ōiki fault system, northwest of Kīlauea's summit. Other Kīlauea monitoring data streams remain stable and show no signs of increased activity.
One of the fundamental premises of geology is that the "key to understanding the future is to understand the past." In order to forecast how a volcano will behave, geologists must map the deposits from past eruptions and determine the ages of those deposits. Radiocarbon dating is our principal tool of use.
Direct gas sampling at Sulphur Banks on September 30, 2020
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Locations
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Phone: (808) 985-6420
Fax: (808) 967-8568
Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center
Pacific Islands Water Science Center
Phone: 808-690-9600
Fax: 808-690-9599
O'ahu Field Station
Phone: 808-690-9571
Fax: 808-690-9599
National Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station
Phone: (808) 792-9520
Fax: (808) 792-9596