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More information on Kilauea...

USGS Volcano Status Messages:
Ugashik-Peulik Information Statement issued May 22, 2013 13:55 AKDT Volcano Alert Level NORMAL - Aviation Color Code GREEN
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


Ugashik-Peulik Information Statement issued May 22, 2013 13:55 AKDT Volcano Alert Level NORMAL - Aviation Color Code GREEN
Ukinrek Maars Volcano 57°50'2" N 156°30'50" W, Summit Elevation 299 ft (91 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN Over the past several weeks seismic instruments at Ugashik-Peulik and Ukinrek volcanoes have slowly returned to operation. These instruments are solar powered and have likely returned to operation as a result of increased solar input with the changing season. AVO is now able to seismically monitor these volcanoes and we have changed the Aviation Color Code from UNASSIGNED to GREEN and the Volcano Alert level to NORMAL. Details...

Cleveland Daily Update issued May 22, 2013 12:20 AKDT Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
Clouds obscured views of Cleveland by satellite over the past 24 hours. AVO has received no reports of ash emission or other indications of eruptive activity over the past 24 hours. Sudden explosions of blocks and ash are possible with little or no warning. Ash clouds, if produced, could exceed 20,000 feet above sea level. If a large ash-producing event occurs, nearby seismic, infrasound, or volcanic lightning networks should alert AVO staff quickly. However, for some events, a delay of several hours is possible. Cleveland Volcano does not have a local seismic network and is monitored ... Details...

Pavlof Daily Update issued May 22, 2013 12:20 AKDT Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
The eruption of Pavlof continues. Seismic tremor declined markedly yesterday around 11:00 AM AKDT and has been replaced by small discrete events likely indicative of small explosions. These explosion signals were also recorded on pressure sensors. A meteorological cloud deck has moved in over the volcano with a top of approximately 15,000 feet (4.5 km) above sea level thus obscuring satellite observations. If a volcanic ash plume is being generated, it is below this cloud deck. The last observations of the volcanic ash plume were on Monday afternoon. Trace ash fall with rain on Nelson ... Details...

Kilauea Daily Update issued May 22, 2013 09:06 HST Volcano Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
Activity Summary: At the summit, tiltmeters recorded the onset of DI deflation at about 11 AM yesterday and a return to DI inflation at about 7 AM this morning. The lava lake level mimicked the tilt change. At the middle east rift zone, there was no lava activity within Pu`u `O`o crater, but the Kahauale`a II lava flow remained active north of Pu`u `O`o. To the southeast, the Peace Day flow had active breakouts on the pali and coastal plain, but most of the flow stayed in its lava tube until reaching the ocean on both the east and west sides of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park ... Details...