#U.S. Geological Survey
Volcano Watch: It’s all about perspective; how to interpret an interferogram
Volcanologists use interferograms to detect unrest by observing how the surface of a volcano is deforming in response to migrating magma beneath the ground. But while interferograms can be beautiful and informative, they are also difficult to interpret.
Volcano Watch: How have eruptions shaped Hawaiʻi? Volcano Awareness Month 2025, with a twist
Join Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and partners again in January 2025 to learn about volcanic activity in Hawaiʻi but also think about submitting a piece for the new art and poetry contest.
Shallow ‘Channel of Bones’ quake rattles O‘ahu, barely felt on Big Island
Earthquakes in the Kaʻiwi Channel region are not common but occasionally have happened in the past 200 years. They are caused by bending of the crust beneath the islands and associated adjustments related to the weight of the islands.
Volcano Watch: What sounds the (automated) alarms at HVO?
While old-fashioned eyes and a notebook are used when field teams are near a volcano, modern volcano observatories also use rapidly collected data and computers to support monitoring. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory computers are ‘trained’ to look for activity and send alerts when a volcano is changing or becoming active.
Update: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring network fully restored
The temporary outage that started just before 7:30 a.m. today was resolved at about 10:30 a.m. and related to a power outage in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Volcano Watch: ʻAilāʻau or Kualoloa? Hawaiian chant suggests lava flow name change
Native Hawaiian oral traditions record a rich history of the changing volcanic landscape in Hawaiʻi. Interweaving cultural knowledge with scientific disciplines can provide a more complete understanding of past events, including the largest known lava flow eruption of Kīlauea.
Volcano Watch: The art and science of geologic mapping
Geologic maps are not an exact depictions of the Earth’s surface. Instead, they display a generalization of interested units and features in correspondence with the scale of a map.
Unexpected early morning seismic alarm clock jolts Big Island awake on Election Day
Magnitude-4.8 earthquake struck the island at 1:42 a.m. today, 3 miles southwest of Pāhala, on the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa, at a depth of 24 miles below sea level. It had no impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
Volcano Watch: East Rift Zone of Kīlauea was busy place in the 1960s
While there were several summit eruptions at Kīlauea during the decade, including one that lasted more than 8 months, eruptions along the East Rift Zone — mainly in the upper and middle portions — were much more frequent.
Volcano Watch: The 2024 Great Hawai‘i ShakeOut
In Hawai‘i, earthquakes are a common occurrence, and we should always practice earthquake preparedness.
Volcano Watch: First light — and flight — for Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s new airborne lidar system
Lidar — short for light detection and ranging — has become preferred for mapping because of the precision of its measurements and fine-scale resolution of its data products.
Initial reports indicate no impact to Kīlauea following earthquakes in East Hawai‘i
According to officials at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the quakes weren’t magma-related. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Scientists walk inside Big Island volcano as earthquake numbers inch up slightly
With the assistance of a helicopter, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are working to upgrade a sesimic monitoring station on hardened black lava covering the crater floor near Uēaloha (Byron Ledge) of Kīlauea.
Volcano Watch: More shaking on Kīlauea’s south flank; did you feel it?
From subtle shakes that feel like wind to abrupt jolting that knocks dishes off the counter, living on this volcanically active island means accepting that the ground beneath our feet will not always keep still.
No signs of imminent eruption at Kīlauea despite continued unrest, experts say
According to HVO’s report Tuesday morning, the unrest is primarily in the form of intermittent low-frequency energy signals typical of magma movement. The number of individual earthquakes remained low, with less than 10 events detected.
Conversation about Big Island’s official name sparks minor moniker controversy
The Hawai‘i Board of Geographic Names during its April 2 meeting began a discussion about possibly changing the island’s official name in the U.S. Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System, or GNIS.
County Council to consider proposed lower Puna water study examining possible health impacts of geothermal operations
The study aims to build on previous assessments by sampling more sites and conducting more analysis throughout its duration.
Volcano Watch: Kīlauea intrusion was a textbook example of dike propagation
Dike intrusion is one of the fundamental processes for magma migration at volcanoes around the world.
Volcano Watch: Dear Valentine, will you be my lab partner?
The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory “lavas” working with our partners at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and for Valentine’s Day we wanted to highlight some of the things we appreciate about this relationship.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park releases February flight operations
Management of the park requires using aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources and maintain backcountry facilities.
