#Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Most of Kīlauea is covered by lava flows younger than 1,000 years old because the volcano is so frequently active, meaning there are few samples, observations or data for older eruptions, especially at the summit; yet, we know Kīlauea has been in its shield-building stage for more than 200,000 years, so how do scientists learn about the volcano’s history?

Next time you listen to a scientist provide updates about ongoing volcanic activity, see a map showing locations of earthquakes 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.

Entire park will be temporarily shuttered as of 5 p.m. today; could still be closed during next lava fountaining episode of ongoing episodic summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano.

This earthquake is likely an aftershock of the magnitude 6.0 that occurred on May 23.

Ocean swells are constantly beating on the ocean floor. This nonstop drumming creates continuous signals that travel through Earth and recorded on seismometers around the globe, including here in Hawai‘i; changes in the speed of these ocean noise signals can give us clues about volcanic activity.

An estimated 6 million cubic yards of lava erupted and covered about 40% to 50% of the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor; An abrupt switch from deflation to inflation at the summit coincided with the end of Episode 53 fountaining, indicating another lava fountaining episode is likely.

Low level winds will carry any tephra produced during Episode 53 lava fountaining, which began shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday, to the west or southwest of the volcano’s summit; if the eruption is strong enough to loft tephra above the trade wind inversion, tephra could be carried to the north or northeast.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the quake was part of an ongoing sequence of temblors associated with unrest that started Aug. 9 at the seamount. The quakes have no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are tracking changes in Kīlauea’s magma chemistry, which could provide insights into the varying heights of lava fountains and indicate a new period of taller fountains.

Magno, who navigated the Hawaiʻi Island response to volcanic eruptions from multiple volcanoes, the COVID-19 pandemic, fires, earthquakes, tsunami warnings, hurricanes and historic kona low storms, retires effective Aug. 1.

The most recent episode of molten rock geyser activity within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater confined to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park ended following 7.5 hours of continuous fountaining.

The latest episode of molten rock geysers within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater of the Big Island volcano began shortly after 7 p.m. July 28 following precursory activity that started the night before.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory relies heavily on global positioning satellite data to monitor volcanic activity in Hawaiʻi; data collected are by a combination of permanent stations and annual surveys, giving scientists a picture of Mauna Loa’s changing shape through time.

The easiest answer to the question of whether lava will flow out of the caldera is — it depends!

The Big Island volcano — perhaps the most active in the world — was a bit of a tease leading up to its most recent fountaining episode yet, which lasted 8.3 hours July 15.

The most recent lava fountaining episode within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater ended abruptly at 4:46 p.m. July 15 after 8.1 hours.

Kīlauea’s alert level has been elevated to “watch” as preliminary volcanic activity at the summit suggests a new lava fountaining episode is likely now through Thursday.

Next episode most likely to begin July 11 or 12; however, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports deflation began Saturday morning at the summit, and if that trend continues, fountaining could be pushed back.

Though most of state’s day-to-day seismic activity occurs within volcanic systems, these widely felt — often offshore — deep earthquakes are not at all directly related to magmatic processes; learn more in today’s “Volcano Watch.”

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports the temblor struck just after 8:15 p.m. July 9 about 34 miles west-southwest of Captain Cook at a depth of 24 miles below sea level; no damage to buildings or infrastructure expected.