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Photo and Video Chronology - Kīlauea - June 20, 2019

By Kīlauea June 20, 2019

Collecting gas samples at Sulphur Banks

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HVO gas geochemists periodically collect gas samples at Sulphur Banks, near the Kīlauea Visitor Center, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Samples are analyzed for bulk chemistry and for helium isotopes. The results are compared to previous measurements to evaluate potential changes in activity at the volcano. In this image, two HVO geologists collect volcanic gas in a specialized glass bottle. USGS image by P. Nadeau.
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An HVO geologist removes the sampling tube following the gas collection. Inserting the tube down into the degassing source limits contamination of the volcanic gas sample by atmospheric gases. USGS image by P. Nadeau.
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Native sulfur crystals precipitate at Sulphur Banks via a chemical reaction between different sulfur-bearing volcanic gases. USGS image by P. Nadeau.
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An HVO geologist labels a gas sample collected in a thin copper tube. This specific sample will be analyzed for helium isotopes and must be collected in copper instead of in a glass bottle, as helium can diffuse through glass. USGS image by P. Nadeau.

 

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