Hawaii Volcano Blog

The island of Ambae, in Vanuatu, is a large basaltic shield volcano that lies along the subduction zone between Fiji and Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific.

Most residents of the Island of Hawaiʻi live on one of four potentially active volcanoes and probably have wondered about the threat of lava flows at one time or another. 

Over the summer of 2021, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientists conducted a detailed gas survey of the caldera floor and rim in order to understand the distribution of current emissions.

HVO explains the difference between an intrusion and eruption following a flurry of activity south of the Kīlauea caldera a week ago.

Late Monday afternoon, earthquake activity picked up at Kīlauea’s summit.

The earthquake swarm that began beneath the south part of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has waned.

Kīlauea volcano alternates between periods dominated by lava flows, such as the one we are currently in, and periods of explosive activity.

More people were probably killed by the 1790 eruption of Kīlauea than by any other eruption in what is now the United States.

Many imaging satellites are polar orbiting, staying closer to Earth’s surface in a low orbit.

The water lake in Halema‘uma‘u was 164 feet deep and growing when Kīlauea summit erupted on Dec. 20.

As Hawaiian volcanoes erupt and grow, they add more and more weight to the Earth’s surface.

Mauna Loa erupted 46 years ago this week, on July 5–6, 1975, in a 20-hour event.

Happy Canada Day/Bonne Fête du Canada! While some past “Volcano Watch” articles have had a July 4th theme for the USA, this year we’re taking the opportunity to ensure readers know that our neighbors to the north have volcanoes, too — including potentially active ones.

The journey from volcanic repose to a climactic eruption is like a mystery movie that keeps you at the edge of your seat.

This newly-developed instrument monitors lava lake dynamics with unprecedented resolution.

These yearly campaign surveys help supplement the continuously recording GPS receivers that blanket the Island of Hawai‘i.

Kīlauea’s recent volcano alert-level change, from Watch to Advisory, has attracted some attention.

The Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake celebrated its five-month anniversary by doing what we all like to do on our special day, taking a break.

An earthquake struck beneath the south flank of Kīlauea on Sunday, May 23.

Many people in Kaʻū have noticed the swarm of earthquakes taking place during the past few years.