What's Going On With The Volcanoes?

On May 26, the lava lake was 229 m (751 ft) deep and hardened across its surface. (USGS Photo)

Kīlauea Volcano is No Longer Erupting

Observations indicate that the eruption in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea volcano has paused. No molten lava or night glow is visible.

 

Three Big Changes in Three Years

 

From lava to water and back again. Learn about three remarkable changes in the past three years at Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

 

Current Conditions Courtesy of USGS - Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 8:49 AM HST

 

An elevation profile line across Halema‘uma‘u crater, from each Digital Elevation Model, allowed HVO scientists to track the rise of the lava lake (click for full-size).

USGS Photo

Kīlauea

Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano is no longer erupting. No surface activity has been observed by field crews or webcam images over the past week. Sulfur dioxide emission rates remain slightly elevated. It is possible that the Halema‘uma‘u vent could resume eruption or that Kīlauea is entering a period of quiescence prior to the next eruption.

Summit Observations: The most recent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates, measured on June 11, 2021, were 70 tonnes per day (t/d). SO2 emission rates are approaching levels associated with the non-eruptive period from late 2018 to late 2020 (30-35 t/d) and are significantly lower than emission rates that averaged over 800 t/d from mid-February to mid-April. Summit tiltmeters recorded one deflation-inflation cycle over the past week, with mild inflation over the past two days. Seismicity remains stable overall, with earthquake counts over the past week similar to previous weeks.

Halemaʻumaʻu Lava Lake Observations: The lake’s surface is completely covered by solidified lava crust. No surface activity or evidence of recent surface activity has been observed over the past week. Small, warmer-temperature spots around the rim and in local cavities remain visible in thermal webcam imagery, although at temperatures well below those associated with molten lava. Near-real time webcam views of the lava lake can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/webcams.

East Rift Zone Observations: No unusual activity noted in the region. Geodetic monitors indicate that the summit and upper East Rift Zone—between the summit and Puʻuʻōʻō—is refilling at rates similar to those measured over the past 2 years and before the December 2020 eruption. SO2 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō were below instrumental detection levels when last measured on January 7, 2021.

Hazard Analysis: Levels of volcanic gas—SO2 and carbon dioxide (CO2)—can remain locally hazardous even though Kīlauea is no longer erupting. SO2 gas emissions have greatly decreased. However, local concentrations of SO2 or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may from time to time notice odors of these gasses. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. Even with decreased effusion rates and no signs of lava lake activity, conditions around Halema‘uma‘u crater remain hazardous.

For more up-to-date monitoring information on Kīlauea: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html

For more information on air quality, visit: https://www.hawaiiso2network.com/

 

Full moon over Mauna Loa (NPS Photo/J. Wei)

Mauna Loa
Current Volcano Alert Level: Advisory/Yellow
Activity Summary: Mauna Loa Volcano is not erupting. Rates of deformation and seismicity at the summit remain slightly elevated and above long-term background levels. Other Mauna Loa monitoring data streams show no significant change in deformation rates or patterns that would indicate increased volcanic hazard at this time.

For more current monitoring info about Mauna Loa, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/status.html