General Volcanic Activity Thread!

[Snipper]

Looks very scary and very interesting. 

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/04/us/kilauea-volcano-hawaii-earthquakes/index.html

[The PIT]

Yup a bit of new action at Kilauea

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

Puʻu ʻŌʻō  crater floor has also collapsed as Lava is drawn away to the new eruption site.

 

 

Edited May 4, 2018 by The PIT

[Methuselah]

I heard about the eruption on Global news, this morning; they said that red lava was coming out of a fissure...That would have been news had the lava been blue!

[The PIT]

33 minutes ago, Ed Stone said:

I heard about the eruption on Global news, this morning; they said that red lava was coming out of a fissure...That would have been news had the lava been blue!

You mean this https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-does-indonesian-volcano-burn-bright-blue-180949576/

[toggerob]

Overnight UK time a 6.9 quake hit the big island on the rim of the Kilauea volcano, felt across the island and some reporting power outages briefly.

 

[toggerob]

31 homes destroyed at this time, the main fissure is half-a mile in length with at least 8 vents still erupting lava. USGS are monitoring inflation and suggest that this fissure eruption may take some time to slow down.

 

[The PIT]

No update for today yet. However a lack of continuing deformation suggests a pause in the magma accumulation in the intrusion. A total of eight fissures in the region although only is producing a lava flow. As ever further fissures may open normally you'd expect these to form further down with one eventually coming the main focal point of the eruption. 

How long the eruption will last will depend on how much magma is in the intrusion and whether the feed can be maintained to it. It will also be interesting too see what happens when this part of the eurption ends. Will activity return to Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater as it has the past.

Things to look out for is the deflation of the summat area which indicates too possible things. The out flow of magma is faster than the recharge rate and that passage to the rift zone is unhindered. Inflation may indicate the path to rift has closed again or recharge rate is faster than the discharge rate. The next few months should be interesting in the latest vent of this long lived eurption. 

Edited May 7, 2018 by The PIT

[The PIT]

latest update

Summary: As of 7:00 am, the eruption along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone within the Leilani Estates subdivision has paused. Strong emission of gas continues from the fissure system that is now about 2.5 miles long. This pause is likely temporary and resumption of lava emission or additional fissure outbreaks are possible at any time.

Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop. There is no active lava in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō area. Aftershocks from Friday's magnitude-6.9 earthquake continue and more are expected. Rockfalls into the Overlook vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater are producing intermittent ash emissions. Seismicity at Kīlauea's summit remains elevated.

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other authorities. Field crews are onsite this morning examining the fissure vents, lava flow of yesterday, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity.

[The PIT]

Latest report may 8th 11:18pm

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Lower East Rift Zone Eruption
The intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. Activity today was focused on the northeast portion of the fissure area; two new fissure segments (13 and 14) broke ground between fissures 7 and 6. Fissure 13 cut across Leilani Street. By 5:00 pm, fissures 13 and 14 were inactive; late this evening geologists reported loud jetting and booming sounds, and some spattering, at fissure 13. At about 6:00 p.m. reports of booming sounds were reported in the vicinity of Black Sands Beach Subdivision. When HVO geologists arrived soon after, no such sounds were occurring.

Earlier this morning, geologists reported the widening of cracks of about 1 to 4 cm (0.4 to 1.6 in) of cracks on Highway 130 and Ali‘ili road.

Rates of seismicity changed little throughout the day, but increased during the fissure activity in the afternoon. Gas emissions remain elevated in the vicinity of fissures.

HVO field crews successfully completed the installation of two new co-located seismometers and GPS receivers on the north and south sides of the East Rift Zone. Mahalo to landowners for allowing access and use of their property. HVO geologists will be in the area overnight to track and report to Hawaii County Civil Defense on the activity, and other scientists are tracking the volcano's overall activity 24/7 using various monitoring data streams.

Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/

Kīlauea Volcano Summit
Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past week and the lava lake level continues to drop. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake continue to produce occasional ashy plumes above Halema‘uma‘u crater. These plumes are expected to continue.

Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano.

 

 

[The PIT]

Another update

HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 8:02 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number:
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii

Volcanic Activity Summary: The steady lowering of the lava lake in “Overlook crater” within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano has raised the potential for explosive eruptions in the coming weeks. If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Kīlauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions. Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu and the Kīlauea summit. At this time, we cannot say with certainty that explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be, or how long such explosive activity could continue.

Residents of the Kīlauea summit area should learn about the hazards of ashfall, stay informed of the status of the volcano and area closures, and review family and business emergency plans.

Resource on volcanic ash hazards: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/

[The PIT]

A collapse of the crater walls into the lava lake at the summit caused an explosion yesterday. This isn't one of the possible steam driven explosions which could be larger.

[The PIT]

Latest update

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Summary: As of 8:00 am, active eruption of spatter and lava along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone within the Leilani Estates subdivision remains paused. However, earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the general area of Leilani Estates are expected. High levels of sulfur dioxide continue to be released from the fissure system.

Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop. Aftershocks from Friday's magnitude-6.9 earthquake continue at a declining rare and more are expected. Rockfalls into the Overlook vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater are producing intermittent, low-level ash emissions. Seismicity at Kīlauea's summit remains elevated. More energetic ash emissions are possible.

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other authorities. Field crews are onsite in the Leilani Estates area this morning examining the fissure vents and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity.

Lower East Rift Zone Observations

Lava emission from fissures was minimal overnight. Strong degassing continues from existing fissures and high levels of sulphur dioxide have been measured downwind. There was no active lava flowing as of 8:00 am this morning.

Deformation of the ground in the area continues and seismicity remains elevated. Overnight, earthquake activity was concentrated on the downrift (east) side of the existing Leilani fissures.

Summit Observations: Tiltmeters at the summit continue to record a deflationary trend of the past week and the summit lava lake level continues to drop. Elevated summit sulfur dioxide emission rates persist. Ash emission is expected following larger rockfalls. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

Elevated earthquake activity in the summit area continues largely as a consequence of ongoing summit deflation.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: A tiltmeter on the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone continues to record the deflationary pattern that followed collapse of the crater floor on April 30. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls will likely continue to collapse intermittently, producing small ashy plumes. The 61g lava flow is no longer active.

Hazard Analysis: Continued eruptive activity (fluctuating and intermittent) in the lower East Rift Zone is likely. New outbreaks or resumption of lava production at existing vents can occur at any time.

Areas downslope of erupting fissures are at risk of lava inundation. The general area of Leilani Estates remains at the greatest risk. However, as the eruption progresses, other areas of the lower East Rift Zone may also be at risk.

High levels of volcanic gas including sulphur dioxide are being emitted from the fissure vents. In addition, smoke from burning houses and burning asphalt is a health concern and should be avoided.

As the lava lake level inside Halemaʻumaʻu continues to drop, rockfalls from the enclosing walls may increase in frequency prompting explosions of spatter from the lake onto the nearby crater rim and lofting plumes of ash. Dustings of ash from these events can occur downwind.

Information about volcanic ash hazards and what you can do to protect yourself and your workplace can be found here: http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-pamphlets

Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.
 

Interesting that these reports paint a general different picture from the news reports which seem to be over blowing the situation somewhat.

[The PIT]

latest update

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Summary: A pause in active eruption of spatter and lava along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone continued through the night. However, earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the general area of Leilani Estates are likely. Overnight, earthquake activity was concentrated on the downrift (east) side of the existing Leilani fissures. High levels of sulfur dioxide continue to be released from the fissure system.

Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady plume of steam is rising from the Overlook vent. It is expected that occasional rockfalls into the deep vent will produce intermittent, low-level ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible.
 

Nothing like early media reports today suggesting that the volcano is going to do a St Helen's almost.

[Styx]

Well..this is really beautiful sight...mesmerising. When will our planet rise to deliver the big one?  Been a while now since there was a globally significant event 

 

Edited May 12, 2018 by Styx

[The PIT]

Good interview this morning on Breakfast which showed the misunderstanding by the media whats going on. Kilauea isn't doing anything different from what it has done in the past.

What the HVO is talking about is this https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/geo_hist_summary.html

The eruption in 1924 was vei 2 while a vei 4 took place in 1790. Like any volcano it can produce a big explosion when there's interaction with water.

[The PIT]

Latest update

 

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Lower East Rift Zone Eruption

A new outbreak has been reported at 6:00 pm just east of fissure 16. Lava from this latest outbreak is actively spattering and degassing but no flow has yet formed. This area was actively steaming earlier in the day. The new fissure (17) is about a half mile northeast from the end of Hinalo Road, very close to fissure 16 that opened about 6:45 am. Activity at fissure 16 produced a lava flow that traveled about 250 yards before stalling about 2:30 pm.

HVO field crews are on site and evaluating the new outbreak.

Earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide in the area indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely as this eruption continues. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation.

[swebby]

On 04/05/2018 at 21:34, The PIT said:

You mean this https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-does-indonesian-volcano-burn-bright-blue-180949576/

And not forgetting the black lava of Ol Doinyo Lengai - Really weird stuff and it makes the fast flowing lava of Kilauea look like toothpaste.

https://www.wired.com/2014/03/strangest-magma-earth-carbonatites-oldoinyo-lengai/

[Snipper]

Looks familiar 2011

. 2011

Sent from Graham

[The PIT]

Latest update new fissures new lava flow

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Summary:

LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE
Eruption of lava continues along Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. A new outbreak early this morning just over a half mile northeast of the end of Hinalo St. and about one half mile south of highway 132 has been confirmed. Hawaii County Civil Defense reports the outbreak is on Halekamahina Loop Road. Aerial observations of this new fissure indicate it is at least several hundreds yards long and producing spatter rising many tens of feet into the air. A slow-moving lava flow is moving away from the vent.

Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the area remain likely.

Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

KILAUEA SUMMIT
Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences.

Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html
 

[The PIT]

Latest update

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Summary:

LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE

Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts)

This morning, activity is dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter more than 100 feet into the air, and an advancing lava flow from fissure 17 at the northeast end of the fissure system. As of 630 am the fissure 17 flow had traveled just under a mile roughly east-southeast parallel to the rift zone. It is turning slightly south and at this time is about one half mile south of Highway 132.

Fissure 18 that became active late yesterday is weakly active.

A fissure 19 has been spotted very near fissure 15 as of about 8 am just northeast of Pohoiki Road and north of Hinalo Street at the east end of Lanipuna Gardens. It is producing a sluggish lava flow.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Yesterday with the onset of activity at fissure 17, powerful steam jets have occurred intermittently near the west end of the fissure. These jets may be responsible for some of the loud sounds reported by residents and emergency workers.

For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area.

The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly.

Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

KILAUEA SUMMIT
Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. Last night several strong earthquakes shook HVO and the surrounding area.

This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences.

Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

[Snowyowl9]

Hawaii volcano building up to massive eruption, say scientists.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/hawaii-volcano-building-massive-eruption-say-scientists-085936985.html?guccounter=1

[toggerob]

20 campers got a surprise over the weekend just gone, when Mount Merapi had a short-lived eruption at the summit in the early hours of the morning. All were unhurt and lucky the winds were gusting in the opposite direction to them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXAPz-wwuPk

[The PIT]

10 hours ago, Snowyowl9 said:

Hawaii volcano building up to massive eruption, say scientists.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/hawaii-volcano-building-massive-eruption-say-scientists-085936985.html?guccounter=1

No they haven't said that. What they have said is there's a chance there maybe a return to phreatovolcanism  if the lava lake drops far enough to allow ground water to enter the system. These of course may lead to pyroclastic flows and possible a vei 4 eruption.  You may even see the caldera collapse as support is removed from it. Or the supply of magma to the rift zone may get blocked and the lava lake rises again and no explosive eruptions occur. We certainly won't see a pintabunto or a st Helens.

Anyway no further update today and interestingly media interest wanes even as the action is pickling up again after new fissures open and fresh lava flows.

[The PIT]

Aaah a new update

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Summary:

LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE

Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts)

This morning, activity remains concentrated at fissure 17. Lava flows from fissure 17 have advanced little over the past day. An estimate of advance rate overnight was about 20 yards per hour. The flow is moving generally east south east and as of this morning was about 1.2 miles above Highway 137.

A new fissure has opened this morning in the Lanipuna Gardens subdivision northeast of fissure 19. Details will be provided as soon as possible.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents.

For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area.

The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly.

Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

KILAUEA SUMMIT

This morning, the plume from Overlook vent inside Halemaumau is steady and gray due to its ash content. The plume is rising several thousand feet above the ground and drifting to the southwest. Ashfall is occurring in the upper Ka'u Desert and downwind.

Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for communities downwind: https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=hfo&wwa=special weather statement

Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

REMARKS

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity.

Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. https://vog.ivhhn.org/

Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.
 

[toggerob]

HVO Kilauea RED/WARNING - Increased ash emission from Kilauea Volcano summit; ash cloud and ashfall downwind