Through the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157), the USGS received Supplemental funding to support recovery and rebuilding activities in the wake of the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption. Supplemental funding will enable the USGS to conduct scientific investigations of the current state of Kīlauea to properly interpret the data from the monitoring networks and characterize the ongoing and future threats and hazards to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities.
Scientific investigations of the current state of Kīlauea are needed to properly interpret the data from the monitoring networks and characterize the ongoing and future threats and hazards to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities. An integrated program of geophysical, geochemical, and geologic investigations are necessary to understand the shallow magma reservoir status and evolution post-2018. This work will improve our understanding of summit and rift zone structure and magmatic plumbing, the history and likelihood of dangerous explosive eruptions from the summit region, and our understanding of the rift zones where the greatest concentration of risk exists on Kīlauea. Seventeen different research projects are supported.
Airborne Electromagnetic and magnetic (AEM) and ground based magnetotelluric (MT) data
Activity Description/Goal: Image Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) magmatic and hydrothermal system with airborne electromagnetic and magnetic (AEM) and ground-based magnetotelluric (MT) data
Activity Timeline:
May-June, 2023: MT survey sites within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) and potentially Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone
February 5-25, 2023: MT survey sites in Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone
July 29-August 31, 2022: AEM survey of Kīlauea
July 7, 2022: Public meeting at Pahoa Community Center: Meeting flier.
May 16-June 12, 2022: MT survey sites within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP)
May 6, 2022: Notification of a USGS volcano research project on Kīlauea Volcano - letter sent to Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs)
Notification of a USGS volcano research project on Kīlauea Volcano
The U.S. Geological Survey is planning to conduct a helicopter geophysical survey over Kīlauea and parts of Mauna Loa, Island of Hawaiʻi, funded as part of the effort to understand the eruption mechanics of Kīlauea to inform future volcanic hazards assessments (H.R. 2157). The project plans to collect airborne geophysical data to image shallow (upper 2,000 ft) structure, alteration, magma, groundwater and thermal fluid paths over Kīlauea and parts of Mauna Loa. In addition, we plan to collect ground-based magnetotelluric (MT) data to image magma and structure within the upper 5,000-35,000 ft. This letter is a courtesy notice regarding the surveys.
The USGS is the earth and natural science bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS mission is to provide impartial scientific information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, and the natural resources that sustain us. The USGS does not create regulations and does not have land management responsibilities.
The MT project will be first with data collected over two field seasons, beginning May 16 to June 12, 2022 mostly within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP), with follow-up in spring, 2023 at scattered locations on Kīlauea volcano. The tentative time frame for the helicopter survey is June 28 to July 18, 2022. The survey area is approximately 50 by 15 miles, with most of the data collected over Kīlauea volcano and, if time and resources permit, a few scattered lines on Mauna Loa.
MT is a passive electromagnetic geophysical method that measures time-variations of natural electric and magnetic fields at Earth’s surface. It is carried out by temporarily installing electrodes, induction-coil magnetometers and data loggers at select locations for a time period of 1-2 days. The electrodes require electrical contact with the ground and are buried in shallow holes about the width and depth of a spade head. The magnetometers must be buried as well to minimize wind noise, each in a narrow trench about 3’ long and a few inches wide and deep. The total ground disturbance at each station is less than 1 square yard. All digging is carried out using hand tools; soil and vegetation are excavated onto tarps and replaced after each sensor is installed. The instruments pose no health risk to people or animals.
The helicopter geophysical survey will be conducted from air space over HVNP, Hawaii State lands, and Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate lands of Kīlauea volcano. The survey aircraft will not fly over or collect any data from Native Hawaiian homelands (DHHL), residential areas or other regions excluded by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or HVNP policies. The data will be collected with a 40-ft-square, horizontal loop suspended 35 ft below a helicopter flying about 120-175 ft above the ground or treetops. The loop will be about 85-140 ft above ground or treetops (Fig. 1). The system transmits weak, low-frequency radio waves into the ground and measures the Earth response as well as passively detects variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. These variations are created by different rock types and water content at and beneath Earth’s surface. Experienced pilots specially trained and approved for low-level flying will operate the aircraft. All flights will occur during daylight hours and are coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure accordance with U.S. law. None of the instruments carried on the aircraft pose a health risk to people or animals.
We are working with HVNP, Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and various other land owners to gain permission to access ground MT measurement sites. Fig. 2 is preliminary map showing the proposed, but not final, MT sites and the proposed area covered by the airborne survey. The most up-to-date maps for both projects will be available at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/2018-kilauea-disaster-su….
The data collected will be made public and used to guide increase understanding of the eruption dynamics of Kīlauea. This information benefits the national park, local government, and the island community by providing critical subsurface input for assessing the volcanic hazards of Kīlauea and thereby aiding emergency planning.
If you have questions about this project, please contact Jim Kauahikaua, a USGS Project investigator at: jimk@usgs.gov or askHVO@usgs.gov.
- Overview
Through the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157), the USGS received Supplemental funding to support recovery and rebuilding activities in the wake of the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption. Supplemental funding will enable the USGS to conduct scientific investigations of the current state of Kīlauea to properly interpret the data from the monitoring networks and characterize the ongoing and future threats and hazards to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.The Airborne Electromagnetic and magnetic (AEM) transmitter generates a magnetic field that is lower than 1/100th of the accepted general public exposure level across all frequencies. The same AEM surveys have been conducted in other locations throughout the US with no reported ill effects to humans or animals. This project does not pose a risk to health or safety. The very low level of magnetic exposure is about the same as standing one foot from a toaster, as shown on the figure, and the technology works in a manner similar to wireless phone charges (though at a different scale). USGS graphic. Scientific investigations of the current state of Kīlauea are needed to properly interpret the data from the monitoring networks and characterize the ongoing and future threats and hazards to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities. An integrated program of geophysical, geochemical, and geologic investigations are necessary to understand the shallow magma reservoir status and evolution post-2018. This work will improve our understanding of summit and rift zone structure and magmatic plumbing, the history and likelihood of dangerous explosive eruptions from the summit region, and our understanding of the rift zones where the greatest concentration of risk exists on Kīlauea. Seventeen different research projects are supported.
Airborne Electromagnetic and magnetic (AEM) and ground based magnetotelluric (MT) data
Activity Description/Goal: Image Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) magmatic and hydrothermal system with airborne electromagnetic and magnetic (AEM) and ground-based magnetotelluric (MT) data
Activity Timeline:
May-June, 2023: MT survey sites within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) and potentially Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone
February 5-25, 2023: MT survey sites in Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone
July 29-August 31, 2022: AEM survey of Kīlauea
July 7, 2022: Public meeting at Pahoa Community Center: Meeting flier.
May 16-June 12, 2022: MT survey sites within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP)
May 6, 2022: Notification of a USGS volcano research project on Kīlauea Volcano - letter sent to Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Proposed MT station (squares) color-coded with some land ownership information. The area to be covered by the airborne survey is also outlined to cover most of Kīlauea volcano. Notification of a USGS volcano research project on Kīlauea Volcano
The U.S. Geological Survey is planning to conduct a helicopter geophysical survey over Kīlauea and parts of Mauna Loa, Island of Hawaiʻi, funded as part of the effort to understand the eruption mechanics of Kīlauea to inform future volcanic hazards assessments (H.R. 2157). The project plans to collect airborne geophysical data to image shallow (upper 2,000 ft) structure, alteration, magma, groundwater and thermal fluid paths over Kīlauea and parts of Mauna Loa. In addition, we plan to collect ground-based magnetotelluric (MT) data to image magma and structure within the upper 5,000-35,000 ft. This letter is a courtesy notice regarding the surveys.
The USGS is the earth and natural science bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS mission is to provide impartial scientific information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, and the natural resources that sustain us. The USGS does not create regulations and does not have land management responsibilities.
The MT project will be first with data collected over two field seasons, beginning May 16 to June 12, 2022 mostly within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP), with follow-up in spring, 2023 at scattered locations on Kīlauea volcano. The tentative time frame for the helicopter survey is June 28 to July 18, 2022. The survey area is approximately 50 by 15 miles, with most of the data collected over Kīlauea volcano and, if time and resources permit, a few scattered lines on Mauna Loa.
MT is a passive electromagnetic geophysical method that measures time-variations of natural electric and magnetic fields at Earth’s surface. It is carried out by temporarily installing electrodes, induction-coil magnetometers and data loggers at select locations for a time period of 1-2 days. The electrodes require electrical contact with the ground and are buried in shallow holes about the width and depth of a spade head. The magnetometers must be buried as well to minimize wind noise, each in a narrow trench about 3’ long and a few inches wide and deep. The total ground disturbance at each station is less than 1 square yard. All digging is carried out using hand tools; soil and vegetation are excavated onto tarps and replaced after each sensor is installed. The instruments pose no health risk to people or animals.
The helicopter geophysical survey will be conducted from air space over HVNP, Hawaii State lands, and Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate lands of Kīlauea volcano. The survey aircraft will not fly over or collect any data from Native Hawaiian homelands (DHHL), residential areas or other regions excluded by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or HVNP policies. The data will be collected with a 40-ft-square, horizontal loop suspended 35 ft below a helicopter flying about 120-175 ft above the ground or treetops. The loop will be about 85-140 ft above ground or treetops (Fig. 1). The system transmits weak, low-frequency radio waves into the ground and measures the Earth response as well as passively detects variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. These variations are created by different rock types and water content at and beneath Earth’s surface. Experienced pilots specially trained and approved for low-level flying will operate the aircraft. All flights will occur during daylight hours and are coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure accordance with U.S. law. None of the instruments carried on the aircraft pose a health risk to people or animals.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.We are working with HVNP, Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and various other land owners to gain permission to access ground MT measurement sites. Fig. 2 is preliminary map showing the proposed, but not final, MT sites and the proposed area covered by the airborne survey. The most up-to-date maps for both projects will be available at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/2018-kilauea-disaster-su….
The data collected will be made public and used to guide increase understanding of the eruption dynamics of Kīlauea. This information benefits the national park, local government, and the island community by providing critical subsurface input for assessing the volcanic hazards of Kīlauea and thereby aiding emergency planning.
If you have questions about this project, please contact Jim Kauahikaua, a USGS Project investigator at: jimk@usgs.gov or askHVO@usgs.gov.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Map of Kīlauea volcano showing the helicopter flight-lines (in green) for the geophysical survey that will be conducted from approximately July 5-25, 2022. The survey will be conducted from air space over Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (boundary in white on the map), Hawaii State lands, and Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate lands. The survey aircraft will not fly over or collect any data from residential areas or other regions excluded by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park policies. All flights will occur during daylight hours and are coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure accordance with U.S. law. USGS map. - Multimedia
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