#volcano update

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the lake lava lake is now 623 feet deep and 82 acres in size. Lava continues to erupt from vents on the northwest side of the crater, resulting in a continued elevated level of SO2 emission rates.

The lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater continued to enlarge slowly in the past few days to 82 acres in size.

Lava activity at the Kīlauea Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island remains confined to Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, with the lava lake deepening to 591 feet and maintaining its 72 acres in size.

Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. This article is by HVO technician Frank Younger.

At present, monitoring data show no signs of impending eruption, and it could be years down the road before the next summit eruption happens.

Since the onset of the recent eruptive activity in May, there have been dozens of seismic events that have prompted statements from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

For an area that is used to accommodate some 5,000 viewers a day, Ferracane said it has been transformed into what “feels like a ghost town to some degree.” During a recent visit to the Jaggar Museum Overlook, Ferracane said there was a dusting of ash that made the area look like it was “white washed in a coating of flour.”

On Sunday, June 3, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake rattled the summit area at 3:50 p.m., cracking the overlook deck at Jaggar Museum. Over the weekend, the US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported more than 500 earthquakes in a 24-hour period – the most ever measured by HVO scientists.

Scientists at the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory address Kīlauea’s current activity—what’s new and what’s not—starting with the two eruption sites: East Rift Zone and summit.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that an ash eruption at Kīlauea summit occurred overnight at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

Authorities say methane gas can seep into subsurface voids and explode when heated, or as shown in this video, emerge from cracks in the ground several feet away from the lava.

Authorities reflected upon the eruptive activity in 1924, saying it involved a series of explosions. Scientists say they are in it for the long haul.

Volcanic activity at Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone eruption in the Leilani Subdivision had paused at all 12 fissures, but hazardous fumes continue to be released.

A total of 35 structures including at least 26 homes have been destroyed by the East Rift Zone Eruption at Kilauea. Since its onset, 10 fissures have emerged.

USGS has produced a documentary to tell the story of the eruption, and to share imagery of the inaccessible lava lake with the public.

On the East Rift Zone, the 61g flow remained active, with lava entering the ocean near Kamokuna and surface breakouts downslope of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

On the East Rift Zone, the 61g flow remained active, with surface breakouts downslope of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and lava entering the ocean near Kamokuna.

Drifts of Pele’s hair can survive for years and even decades, but, once the eruption has ended, wind will strip the hair from most surfaces.

Kīlauea continues to erupt at its summit and East Rift Zone with dramatic images from the 61g lava flow which continued to enter the ocean near Kamokuna.