VOLCANO WATCH: KILAUEA"S SUMMIT ERRUPTION HAWAII!!

The lava surface deep within the Halemaumau Overlook vent can sometimes only be seen using an infrared camera, as in this view from Wednesday afternoon, March 17. (Photo courtesy of HVO)

(Volcano Watch is a weekly article written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.)

Volcano Watch

Volcano Watch is a weekly newsletter written by the scientists at the US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It is published in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald's Sunday newspaper and the West Hawai'i Today's Monday newspaper, and posted here the following Monday or Tuesday. While primarily addressed to the residents of the Big Island of Hawai`i, some articles may have a broader scope. Article topics may range from volcanic features on the Big Island, volcanic hazards, informational topics of Long Valley, Montserrat, or Alaska, to topics about the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

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Latest Issue:

March 11, 2010:It's Sinking in that the Island is Sinking

Previous Issue:

March 4, 2010:Golden anniversary of Chilean earthquake comes early

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Kīlauea Eruption Status

A prolonged deflation/inflation (DI) event started at Kīlauea's summit on March 5. The deflation caused surface flows on Pulama pali and on the coastal plain to slow down, perhaps stop, during the past week, but not before the flows had reached a few tens of meters (yards) into the National Park. As of this writing (March 11), the volcano had rapidly begun to inflate, and surface activity on the pali and coastal plain will likely increase or resume soon.

At Kīlauea's summit, a spattering and roiling lava surface deep within the collapse pit inset within the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, was barely visible, at times, via Webcam during the past week. The lava surface dropped significantly in response to the deflation phase of the DI event, but has begun to rise slowly back to a higher level since the volcano switched to inflation. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

Three earthquakes beneath Hawai`i Island were reported felt during the past week—all on Monday, March 8, 2010, at the same location, 32 km (20 miles) northwest of Hilo, and at the same depth, about 32 km (20 miles). A magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred at 6:29 p.m., H.s.t, a magnitude-3.5 occurred at 6:31 p.m., and a magnitude-1.8 occurred at 6:38 p.m.

Visit the official Web site (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for detailed Kīlauea and Mauna Loa activity updates, recent volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more; call (808) 967-8862 for a Kīlauea activity summary; email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

Kīlauea -- Perhaps the World's Most Active Volcano

View north-northeast across Kīlauea's summit
caldera and Halema`uma`u crater (left of center)

Kīlauea is the youngest and southeastern most volcano on the Big Island of Hawai`i. Topographically Kīlauea appears as only a bulge on the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa, and so for many years Kīlauea was thought to be a mere satellite of its giant neighbor, not a separate volcano. However, research over the past few decades shows clearly that Kīlauea has its own magma-plumbing system, extending to the surface from more than 60 km deep in the earth.

In fact, the summit of Kīlauea lies on a curving line of volcanoes that includes Mauna Kea and Kohala and excludes Mauna Loa. In other words, Kīlauea is to Mauna Kea as Lo`ihi is to Mauna Loa. Hawaiians used the word Kīlauea only for the summit caldera, but earth scientists and, over time, popular usage have extended the name to include the entire volcano.

Kīlauea is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. Hawaiian chants and oral traditions tell in veiled form of many eruptions fomented by an angry Pele before the first European, the missionary Rev. William Ellis, saw the summit in 1823. The caldera was the site of nearly continuous activity during the 19th century and the early part of this century. Since 1952 there have been 34 eruptions, and since January 1983 eruptive activity has been continuous along the east rift zone. All told, Kīlauea ranks among the world's most active volcanoes and may even top the list.

Hawaiian Meaning
The Hawaiian name "Kīlauea" means "spewing" or "much spreading," apparently in reference to the lava flows that it erupts.

Most Recent Eruption

Continuous since January 3, 1983

Number of Historical Eruptions
61, not counting the continuous lava-lake activity in Halema`uma`u crater

Summit Caldera
The caldera itself has no Hawaiian name other than Kīlauea but houses the famous crater, Halema`uma`u; "hale" is a house, "ma`uma`u" a type of fern. Kamapua`a, a jilted suitor of Pele, is said to have built a house of ferns over Halema`uma`u to keep Pele from escaping her home and causing eruptions. The ploy failed.

• Dimension: 6 x 6 km (outermost faults), 3 x 5 km (main depression)
• Depth: 165 m deep
• Age: probably several incremental collapses 500-210 years ago

Oldest Dated Rocks
23,000 years old

Estimated Age of Earliest Subaerial Eruptions
50,000-100,000 years

Estimated Age of First Eruption of Kīlauea
300,000-600,000 years before present

Hawaiian Volcano Stage
Shield-forming stage