Volcano Activity Update: March 20, 2017

The episode 61g flow continues to enter the ocean at the Kamokuna ocean entry (center), and was producing a robust plume. The western Kamokuna delta, which was abandoned in late September 2016, is visible to the left of the entry. A few weak surface breakouts were still active on the coastal plain, but most surface activity is within approximately 3.5 km (2.2 miles) of the vent. The episode 61g tube is marked by fume traces that can be seen along the flow field, and Puʻu ʻŌʻō is visible in the center of the skyline. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory photo.

Kīlauea continues to erupt at its summit and East Rift Zone.

This past week, the summit lava lake level varied between about 46 and 112 feet below the vent rim.

The 61g flow was still active, with lava entering the ocean near Kamokuna and small surface breakouts downslope of Puʻu ʻŌʻō on the pali and the coastal plain.

The 61g flows do not pose an immediate threat to nearby communities.

Mauna Loa is not erupting.

GPS measurements continue to show deformation related to inflation of a magma reservoir beneath the summit and upper Southwest Rift Zone.

No significant change in the summit fumarole temperature or gas output was noted this past week.

During the past week, small-magnitude earthquakes continued to occur beneath the volcano.

No earthquakes were reported felt on the Island of Hawai’i during the past week.

Volcano Watch is a weekly article written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

Call for summary updates at (808) 967-8862 (Kīlauea) or (808) 967-8866 (Mauna Loa); email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.