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More information on Kilauea...

USGS Volcano Status Messages:
Cleveland Weekly Update issued Feb 3, 2012 11:53 AKST Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
Details...

USGS Kilauea Webcam

Tropical Cyclone

Kilauea Volcano, Halema'uma'u Crater


Map by J. Johnson, 2000
Simplified map of Kilauea Volcano showing the summit caldera, southwest and east rift zones, Pu`u `O`o, roads, and several communities located on the volcano's flanks. From USGS

Halema`uma`u gas plume becomes ash-laden.
Halema`uma`u gas plume becomes ash-laden. March 24, 2008 Photo by M. Sako (Photo from USGS)

Infrared Satellite image - click for loop
Infrared Satellite image - click for loop


Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, but it is of the sort that tends to ooze lava more often than it explodes. Until March 19, 2008, the last explosive eruption from the Halema'uma'u Crater, the summit crater, occurred in 1924. But starting on March 19, a small explosion from the crater rained rock and ash over the summit. The explosion heralded further activity at the summit, including a two to four fold increase in the amount of sulfur dioxide seeping from the volcano. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory warned on March 28 that sulfur dioxide concentrations in the air downwind from the volcano were likely to be hazardous, particularly to children or those with asthma or other breathing difficulties. Even before the March 19 explosion, elevated sulfur dioxide levels prompted the National Park Service to close part of Crater Rim Drive starting in mid-February.

Current Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Conditions from National Park Service


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Recent Volcano Observatory Activity Reports from USGS


Cleveland Weekly Update issued Feb 3, 2012 11:53 AKST Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
Satellite observations throughout the week suggest that eruptive activity at Cleveland Volcano has slowed or paused. Since observation of a new lava dome on 30 January, its size has not changed appreciably. Satellite-derived surface temperatures are consistent with slow to no growth of the dome. There have been no indications of explosive ash-producing activity from distant seismic, pressure or lightning sensors. Renewed eruptive activity producing a small 40 meter (130 foot) lava dome was first observed in satellite data on 30 January 2012, following a month of little to no observable ... Details...

Cascade Range Weekly Update issued Feb 3, 2012 10:42 PST Volcano Alert Level NORMAL - Aviation Color Code GREEN
Activity Update: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range are at normal levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State; Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry Volcano, and Crater Lake, in Oregon; and Medicine Lake volcano, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Peak in northern California. Recent Observations: No unusual geologic activity was apparent at any of the Cascades Volcanoes during the week. Volcano seismicity remained at background levels. Hydrologic field teams collected stream data and ... Details...

Kilauea Daily Update issued Feb 3, 2012 07:02 HST Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
Activity Summary for past 24 hours: Overall eruptive activity was low. DI deflation slowed and the lava lake was perturbed by two large collapses of the vent rim. Within Pu`u `O`o Crater, glow was visible from several sources on the northeast and southeast edges of the floor. Surface flows southeast of Pu`u `O`o remained active but possibly weaker according to satellite imagery. Overall seismic tremor levels were low and gas emissions were elevated. Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: The summit tilt network continued to record DI deflation punctuated with two abrupt positive ... Details...

Pagan Weekly Update issued Feb 3, 2012 13:54 ChST Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY - Aviation Color Code YELLOW
Low-level volcanic unrest continues at Pagan. On 30 January the USGS received a pilot report via the National Weather Service office in Guam of a volcanic cloud rising to an altitude of 10,000 ft asl. The cloud was described as "white with bits of light brown". Satellite images of Pagan from the time of the PIREP showed a vigorous gas and steam cloud but no evidence of a significant amount of volcanic ash. Other satellite images over the past week showed a gas and steam plume drifting downwind from the volcano. The USGS received no further reports of unrest or activity at Pagan ... Details...

Cleveland Status Report issued Feb 2, 2012 10:42 AKST Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
There was no evidence of ash emissions or elevated surface temperatures in partly cloudy satellite images over the past day. AVO has not received any other reports of activity. Renewed eruptive activity producing a small 40 meter (130 foot) lava dome was first observed in satellite data on 30 January 2012, following a month of little to no observable change. The new dome occupies only a small portion of the approximately 200 meter (650 foot) diameter summit crater. There have been no observations of ash emissions or explosive activity during this current lava eruption. The lava dome that ... Details...

Kilauea Daily Update issued Feb 2, 2012 07:09 HST Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
Activity Summary for past 24 hours: Overall eruptive activity was slightly elevated. DI deflation and the drop of the summit lava lake started yesterday morning. Within Pu`u `O`o Crater, glow was visible from several sources on the northeast and southeast edges of the floor; a single very short flow issued from the southeast source yesterday afternoon. Surface flows southeast of Pu`u `O`o remained active according to satellite imagery. Overall seismic tremor levels were low and gas emissions were elevated. Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: Another DI deflation started ... Details...