Hualālai

Photo and Video Chronology – HVO upgrades Hualālai Repeater and installs new webcam – April 19, 2023

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:48:04 EDT

During the week of April 10, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory upgraded the Hualālai Repeater station and installed a new webcam looking at the northwest flank of Mauna Loa.

Photo and Video Chronology – Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project Begins – April 18, 2023

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 16:45:16 EDT

Fieldwork for the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project, which will provide a new detailed view of shallow subsurface structures and the magma system beneath Kīlauea volcano’s summit, began on April 17, 2023.

Volcano Watch — Hualālai’s Wahapele eruption: cone-building, explosive phreatic activity, and lava flows

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 20:26:37 EDT

While our attention is generally drawn to the Island of Hawai‘i’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, it is also important to keep watch on the Island of Hawai‘i’s third-most active volcano, Hualālai, which underlies the most populated areas of Kailua-Kona and the central Kona coast.

Volcano Watch — What is a volcano?

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 21:51:56 EDT

What makes a volcano a volcano? This was the topic of a “Volcano Watch” article about 20 years ago. Recent questions from visitors suggest this remains a topic of great interest and deserves revisiting.

Volcano Watch — Something new from something old: A new Geologic Map of the State of Hawaiʻi

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 20:51:55 EST

The original purpose of geologic mapping in Hawaiʻi was to understand the distribution of groundwater and soils to support agriculture. But as geologic maps have been developed over time, they’ve provided basic information on how the Hawaiian Islands evolved, the workings of individual volcanoes, and the relative degree of long-term hazards posed.

2021: A year of earthquake activity on the Island of Hawai‘i — Volcano Awareness Month 2022 Seismology Update

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 16:03:20 EST

The third in a series of recorded talks by HVO staff that will be posted on our website throughout the month of January. These talks are presented as part of the Island of Hawai‘i’s annual Volcano Awareness Month, an effort to increase understanding of Hawaiian volcanoes among residents and visitors. Questions? Email askHVO@usgs.gov.

Volcano Watch — Looking for maps? GIS data? Try the HVO publications page!

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 08:45:00 EDT

Many messages to AskHVO (askHVO@usgs.gov) request resources relating to geologic maps and geographic information systems (GIS) data. "Is there a map of a certain lava flow?" "Where can I find the associated GIS data?" All HVO and USGS publications are searchable at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/, but this service is most effective if you already know what to look for.

Volcano Watch — HVO's geological sample collections are an important resource

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 08:30:00 EDT

In the past, HVO would occasionally post images of people collecting lava samples on our website. These photos usually featured a person (with little-exposed skin) holding a rock hammer, with a metal bucket nearby. The bucket contained water to "quench" the sample, solidifying the hot lava into a cold glass.

How to stay informed about Hawaiian volcanoes

jgittens@usgs.gov — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 01:00:00 EST

Information about how to stay informed about Hawaiian volcanoes.

Volcano Awareness Month

jgittens@usgs.gov — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 01:00:00 EST

January 2019 is Hawaiʻi Island's 10th annual Volcano Awareness Month.

Volcano Watch - Why do some Hawaii earthquakes occur so far offshore?

twoods@usgs.gov — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 04:30:00 EST

Earthquakes in Hawaii are intimately related to the volcanoes. In addition to helping scientists track moving magma, sometimes they happen simply because the earth under the island chain gets bent out of shape.

Update on January 2019 Volcano Awareness Month Presentations

jgittens@usgs.gov — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 01:00:00 EST

Due to the lapse in appropriations, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are unable to present public lectures as planned.

Update on January 2019 Volcano Awareness Month Presentations

jgittens@usgs.gov — Sun, 6 Jan 2019 01:00:00 EST

Due to the lapse in appropriations, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are unable to present lectures as planned.

We continue to monitor and report on volcanic activity during any lapse in appropriations.

jgittens@usgs.gov — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 01:00:00 EST

During the current federal government shutdown, the Volcano Hazard Program and all five U.S. Volcano Observatories will continue to issue updates, warnings, and notifications through the usual channels, including websites, email, and social media.

Which U.S. volcanoes pose a threat?

rmcclymont@usgs.gov — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 06:30:00 EST

USGS Volcanic Threat Assessment updates the 2005 rankings.

Volcanic threat assessment helps prioritize risk reduction efforts at U.S. volcanoes

jgittens@usgs.gov — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey assesses active and potentially active volcanoes in the U.S., focusing on history, hazards and the exposure of people, property and infrastructure to harm during an eruption. The findings are in the newly published 2018 Update to the U.S. Geological Survey National Volcanic Threat Assessment.

Volcano Watch — Threat Rankings of our Nation’s geologically young volcanoes

jgittens@usgs.gov — Thu, 2 Nov 2017 02:00:00 EDT

What exactly do volcano threat rankings mean?

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.7 offshore earthquake north of Hawai‘i and east of Maui

jgittens@usgs.gov — Fri, 1 Apr 2016 02:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.7 earthquake north of the Island of Hawai‘i and east of the Island of Maui on Thursday, March 31, at 11:16 p.m., HST. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has determined that no damaging tsunami was generated (http://ptwc.weather.gov/?region=2).

USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.6 earthquake southwest of Waimea, Island of Hawai‘i

jgittens@usgs.gov — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 02:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.6 earthquakelocated beneath the Island of Hawai‘i on Sunday, March 20, at 6:43 a.m., HST. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has determined that no damaging tsunami was generated (http://ptwc.weather.gov/?region=2).

Volcano Watch — A geological tour of the Hawaiian Islands: Hawai‘i

jgittens@usgs.gov — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 01:00:00 EST

As the 2016 Volcano Awareness Month comes to an end, so too does our series of "Volcano Watch" articles exploring the geology of the Hawaiian Islands. This week, we conclude our journey with the Island of Hawai‘i.

Volcano Watch — What will the next eruption of Hualālai be like?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 07:30:00 EDT

Hualālai, looming majestically above Kailua-Kona, is Hawai‘i's third most active volcano (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/archive/2009/09_10_01.html). The U.S. Geological Survey classifies it as a "high threat" volcano, based on its frequency of eruptions and the proximity of its vents to developed areas.

USGS HVO Press Release — Current status of Hawai‘i Island's volcanoes presented in Kona

jgittens@usgs.gov — Fri, 6 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST

Hawai‘i ISLAND, Hawai‘i – The current status of Hawai‘i Island's active volcanoes and how they are monitored will be the topic of a Volcano Awareness Month program in Kailua-Kona on Wednesday, January 11.

Volcano Watch — Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the hottest of them all?

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:00:00 EDT

Hawai‘i is the quintessential "hotspot." The geologic definition of a "hotspot" is that region of the Earth beneath an area that has experienced high levels of active volcanism for an extended period of time. The 5,800-km (3,200-mi) -long Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount chain is a testament to the longevity of the Hawaiian hotspot.

USGS HVO Press Release — Hualālai: Hawai‘i's Third Active Volcano

jgittens@usgs.gov — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EST

The public is invited to learn about Hualālai volcano directly from the experts. U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Jim Kauahikaua will give a presentation on Thursday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m., in the Kealakehe High School Cafeteria.

Volcano Watch — How well do you know the volcanoes in your backyard?

Anonymous — Thu, 3 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

We often hear the term "IQ" (intelligence quotient)—but how would you rate your "VAQ" (volcano awareness quotient)? In other words, how well do you know the volcanoes in your backyard?

Volcano Watch — Hualālai is Third Most Active Volcano in Hawai`i

Anonymous — Thu, 1 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EDT

The West Hawai`i Today issue for September 11, 2009, contained a letter to the editor titled "Hualālai is a real and present threat." The writer's main point was that "Hualālai is the 'secret in the closet' that nobody wants to talk about," that Hualālai is under-monitored, and that, should Hualālai erupt, there is no evacuation plan.

USGS HVO Press Release — Annual Surveys of Hawai‘i's Volcanoes Are Underway

jgittens@usgs.gov — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:00:00 EDT

If you see someone alongside the road next to a white disk-shaped antenna atop a yellow tripod, it could be a U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geophysicist setting up a GPS (Global Positioning System) station to track changes on Hawai‘i's active volcanoes.

Volcano Watch — State of Hawai`i geologic map available online

Anonymous — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:45:00 EDT

A new geologic map of the State of Hawai`i became publicly available this week. The publication is free online as U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1089. The compilation was done primarily by Dave Sherrod, former staff member of HVO.

USGS HVO Press Release — Two Damaging Earthquakes with Magnitude-6.6 and 5.8 Occur on Northwest side of Hawai‘i Island

jgittens@usgs.gov — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:00:00 EDT

Two earthquakes of magnitude-6.6 and 5.8 (preliminary) were recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on October 15, at 7:07 and 7:14 A.M. HST, respectively.

Photo & Video Chronology - Hualālai - March 29, 2006

twoods@usgs.gov — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 04:00:00 EST

A beautiful sunrise of the mountainside. Photo taken from the top of Hualālai volcano.