Categorized | Sci-Tech

Volcano Watch: Kilauea activity update for week of Dec. 17

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

Lava flows have been active on the pali and coastal plain west of Kalapana over the past week. Early in the week, the easternmost of the active flow lobes advanced to within about 500 m (550 yards) of the County lava viewing area, but this flow had stalled by Thursday, Dec. 23.

A new breakout at the top of the pali (1,200-ft elevation level) was first observed Wednesday, Dec. 22, and this new flow appears to be robbing the lava supply from the flows on the coastal plain. The ocean entry remains inactive. Lava flows from an active vent in the northwest corner of Puu Oo crater continue to cover more of the western portion of the crater floor.

At Kilauea’s summit, the circulating lava lake in the collapse pit deep within the floor of Halemaumau Crater has been visible via Webcam throughout the past week. The circulation pattern was interrupted sporadically by abrupt increases in the height of the lava surface.

These periods of high lava level have been short-lived, lasting up to several hours, and each ended with a sudden drop of the lava surface back to its previous level. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

Two earthquakes beneath the Hawaii Islands were reported felt during the past week.

A magnitude-3.7 earthquake occurred at 10:11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 and was located 20 km (13 miles) southwest of Olowalu, Maui, at a depth of 28 km (17 miles).

A magnitude-3.5 earthquake occurred at 9:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, and was located 35 km (22 miles) north of Kapalua, Maui, at a depth of 32 km (20 miles).

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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