Categorized | Sci-Tech

Volcano Watch: Kilauea activity update for week of July 22

(Activity updates are written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.)

Over the past week, surface flows continued to be active in two areas on the coastal plain. As of Thursday, July 29, surface flows had breached the Hakuma horst fault scarp in several areas, creating many small fires and smoke plumes.

Two flows, about 550 m (600 yards) apart, made it to the ocean and are producing small ocean entries. The flows on the coastal plain are still advancing to the east near Kalapana Gardens, slowly filling in the low areas.

Upslope, approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) above Highway 130, minor activity continues as the lava flows through the remaining vegetation. Repeated deflation/inflation (DI) events at Kilauea’s summit, ongoing for the last several days, may cause the surface flows on the coastal plain to stall and restart repeatedly.

At Kilauea’s summit, a circulating lava pond deep in the collapse pit within the floor of Halemaumau Crater was visible via the Webcam throughout the past week. The baseline lava level was punctuated sporadically by short-lived lava-level increases.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

One earthquake beneath Hawaii Island was reported felt during the past week.

A magnitude-2.2 earthquake occurred at 1:42 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, and was located 7 km (4 mi) northeast of Honokaa at a depth of 30 km (19 mi).

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

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