| possible explosive eruptions like 1924 & 1790 Eric Klenetti's Twitter & Blog https://twitter.com/eruptionsblog http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/rockyplanet/ USGS https://twitter.com/USGSVolcanoes https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/ 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 Halemaumau at the summit of Klauea Volcano has raised the potential for explosive eruptions in the coming weeks. If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Klauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions. Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaumau and the Klauea 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 Klauea 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/ Remarks: HAZARDS Primary hazards of concern should this activity occur are ballistic projectiles and ashfall. BALLISTIC PROJECTILES During steam-driven explosions, ballistic blocks up to 2 m (yards) across could be thrown in all directions to a distance of 1 km (0.6 miles) or more. These blocks could weigh a few kilograms (pounds) to several tons. Smaller (pebble-size) rocks could be sent several kilometers (miles) from Halemaumau, mostly in a downwind direction. ASHFALL Presently, during the drawdown of the lava column, rockfalls from the steep enclosing walls of the Overlook crater vent impact the lake and produce small ash clouds. These clouds are very dilute and result in dustings of ash (particles smaller than 2 mm) downwind. Should steam-driven explosions begin, ash clouds will rise to greater elevations above ground. Minor ashfall could occur over much wider areas, even up to several tens of miles from Halemaumau. In 1924, ash may have reached as high as 20,000 feet above sea level. Small amounts of fine ash from these explosions fell over a wide area as far north as North Hilo (Hakalau), in lower Puna, and as far south as Waiohinu. GAS Gas emitted during steam-drive explosions will be mainly steam, but will include some sulfur dioxide (SO2) as well. Currently, SO2 emissions remain elevated. WARNING TIME Steam-driven explosions at volcanoes typically provide very little warning. Once the lava level reaches the groundwater elevation, onset of continuous ashy plumes or a sequence of violent steam-driven explosions may be the first sign that activity of concern has commenced. BACKGROUND Klauea's lava lake began to drop on May 2, 2018. From its peak on May 2 to the most recent measurement at 9 pm on May 6, the lava lake surface dropped a total of more than 200 m (656 ft). The subsidence was at a relatively constant rate of about 2 meters (yards) per hour. Measurements of subsidence have not been possible since May 6 because of thick fume and the increasing depth to the lava surface. However, thermal images indicate continued lowering of the lake surface since that time, consistent with deflationary tilt recorded at Klauea's summit. Therefore, we infer that the lake surface continues to drop at roughly the same rate. So, while HVO cannot report exact depths of the receding lava lake, we can monitor the overall trend. USGS and HVO scientists are monitoring changes at the summit 24/7 and watching for signs that hazardous conditions have increased, or may increase. HVO is working closely with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai'i County Civil Defense to respond to this situation. FOR MORE INFORMATION Updates on activity will be posted on the HVO website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html You can receive these updates by email through a free subscription service: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/ Hawai'i County Civil Defense will issue its own hazard notices should that become necessary: http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/ Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park status is posted on their web page: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm Resources on volcanic ash can be found at: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ Contacts: askHVO@usgs.gov Next Notice: Daily updates on all volcanic activity at Klauea are issued each morning and posted on out website: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html You can sign up to receive these messages automatically by visiting https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/ The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i. |