Volcano Watch: A thank you letter to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field technicians

“Volcano Watch” is a weekly article and activity update written by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

Did you feel that earthquake? Time to check the location and magnitude.

Do you need to find out how much Kīlauea summit region repressurized since the last eruption? You can check tiltmeter data in about three clicks.

Is the eruption forecast window open? Turn on those livestreaming cameras to see if lava is flowing.

Real-time data is at the fingertips of anyone curious enough to look. From keiki to kūpuna, enthusiasts to experts: anyone can check the status of Hawaiʻi’s volcanoes through volcano monitoring data streams available in near real-time on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website.

The observatory serves the community by sharing this scientific data and spreading hazard awareness. Hazard assessments, prompt forecasts, continuous monitoring and scientific research all start at the same point: an instrument on or in the ground recording data.

There are multiple disciplines needed to monitor a volcano, which means a wide variety of instruments must be deployed.

Seismometers, GPS, tiltmeters, gas detectors and webcams are all necessary to capture the full scope of volcanic activity. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory operates a real-time sensor network of all types of instruments, 24 hours a day, to track unrest and subtle changes in volcanic activity.

All of this accessible data relies on the work of field technician, electronics and information technology teams. They are the backbone of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Without them, not only would experts have no data to interpret, but all the convenient public information available with just a few clicks would be nonexistent.

Their importance begins with the essential monitoring infrastructure they design and build — creating efficient solutions to keep instruments powered in remote areas and telemetered so real-time data can be accessed from anywhere.

These locations depend heavily on where activity is happening or the type of data needed.

Seismometers must be dispersed around where earthquakes occur so triangulation can accurately pinpoint a hypocenter. Gas sensors need to be downwind of where volcanic gas is emitted. Tiltmeters must be spaced around magma chambers and rift zones to best capture magma movement.

The wide variety of station needs and difficult terrain of islands built from lava flows means the tech team is constantly traversing rugged, remote and physically demanding landscapes.

Whether crossing a desert of ʻaʻā; pushing through dense rain forest tangled with roots, ferns and fallen trees; or traversing a new glassy tephra deposit, technicians find a way to get a sensor on the ground, powered and telemetered so data can be immediately interpreted.

But instruments only fulfill their purpose if they remain functional, which requires continuous maintenance, troubleshooting and hardening.

Every windstorm, lightning strike, lava fountain, flood or fire can take out a station critical for monitoring.

This continuous list of tasks can only be completed by trained field technicians.

Constant changes in volcanic activity, shifting weather and routine upgrades mean the team must constantly coordinate and prioritize essential logistics so scientists and the community can monitor what matters most to stay informed and safe.

As Hurricane Lala approached Hawaiʻi Island last week, field technicians and information technology staff tested the generator at a critical monitoring data relay tower and ensured it had enough fuel to operate if the power went out.

Field technicians have made daily trips to refuel the generator and ensure crucial volcano monitoring data continues to flow even as power outages continue following Lala.

Next time you listen to a scientist provide updates about ongoing volcanic activity in Hawaiʻi, see a map showing locations of earthquakes in a seismic swarm or check the livestream cameras at Kīlauea summit for lava, take a moment to appreciate the team that works every day to keep the data flowing.

They might not be on television giving interviews or at an overlook sharing information with the public, but they are in the field — likely fixing an antenna so a 1,000-foot lava fountain doesn’t block the radio path and leave us blind to nearby seismometers needed to detect possible changes in volcanic activity.

Thank you, to the team of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians, from a data analyst who would have nothing to monitor without you.

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VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES

KĪLAUEA volcano

VOLCANO ALERT LEVEL: Advisory

Kīlauea has erupted episodically since Dec. 23, 2024, within the summit caldera. Episode 53 lava fountaining happened Aug. 12-13. No unusual activity was noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

• WHAT’S NEXT: Summit inflation since the end of Episode 53 indicates another fountaining episode is likely; current forecasts indicate Episode 54 could begin between Aug. 22 and 26.
• SPECIAL NOTE: The next lava fountaining episode could coincide with another tropical cyclone as indicated by National Hurricane Center forecasters. Refer to official sources for updated information, including National Weather Service, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency as the situation develops.

MAUNA LOA volcano

VOLCANO ALERT LEVEL: Normal

Mauna Loa is not erupting. Find additional information about Mauna Loa and read the most recent monthly volcano activity update at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

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EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY UPDATE

Four earthquakes were felt during the past week throughout the Hawaiian Islands:

• MAGNITUDE-4.1 earthquake at 9:24 a.m. Aug. 17 located 9 miles south-southeast of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo at a depth of 14 miles.
• MAGNITUDE-3.0 earthquake at 2:32 p.m. Aug. 15 located 7 miles west of Volcano at a depth of 4 miles.
• MAGNITUDE-3.7 earthquake at 12:32 p.m. Aug. 15 located 6 miles south-southwest of Volcano at a depth of 19 miles.
• MAGNITUDE-3.4 earthquake at 7:09 a.m. Aug. 15 located 27 miles west-southwest of Kailua-Kona at a depth of 22 miles.

Visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website for past “Volcano Watch” articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.