#U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Getting in the “Rift” Zone: Why & How They Erupt
The rift zones extend from Kīlauea Caldera and, like the summit region, are prone to volcanic activity. But why are the rift zones so active?
Interpreting Surface Deformation at Kīlauea
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar calculates the difference between two radar images taken at different times but looking at the same place on Earth.
New Eyes in the Sky for Monitoring Hawaiian Volcanoes
The 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano presented an opportunity for the U.S. Geological Survey to adopt unmanned aerial systems to better monitor the eruption.
USGS to Survey Kīlauea Volcano From its Summit to Kumukahi
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have wanted to resurvey Kīlauea Volcano’s ground surface to document changes brought about by the Puna eruption.
New Insights Gained From Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 Summit Collapses
A year ago, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and Island of Hawaiʻi residents were in the throes of an historically unprecedented series of events for Kīlauea.
What We’ve Learned From Kīlauea’s 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption
May 3, 2019, marks the one-year anniversary of the start of Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption.
What Caused—Or Did Not Cause—The 2018 Kīlauea Eruption?
When a major geologic event occurs, scientists who study such events and the people who are directly or indirectly impacted by it seek to understand its cause.
Survey Helps Finalize USGS Lava Thickness Map
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released a preliminary map of lava flow thicknesses for Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption.
New Outcrops at Kīlauea Make Good Geology
A good field geologist is an opportunist. Outcrops provide a great understanding to some questions about what happened in the geologic past.
How is Lava Flow Thickness Measured and Why Does it Matter?
Eruption rate is probably the best measure of volcanic activity, and the first step in that calculation is to measure lava flow thickness and area.
How Do Lava Flows Cool & How Long Does It Take?
This is a difficult question to answer, because the initial eruptive temperatures along with many different factors can influence the rate of cooling.
Why do Some Hawai‘i Quakes Occur so Far Offshore?
Earthquakes in Hawaiʻi are intimately related to the volcanoes. Sometimes they happen simply because the earth under the island chain gets bent out of shape.
Geology of the Past, How Long Will the Eruption Last?
The 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea brought an end to the 35+ year eruption at Puʻu ‘Ō‘ō.
