Recent Mauna Loa Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY BIWEEKLY UPDATE
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 09:19 HST (Tuesday, September 30, 2008 19:19 UTC)

MAUNA LOA VOLCANO (CAVW#1302-02=)
19.48°N 155.61°W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m)
Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Report prepared by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:

Mauna Loa is not erupting. Slow extension, as measured by GPS receivers on opposite sides of the volcano, continued.

Tiltmeters have recorded no significant changes other than abrupt offsets that are related to instrumental issues.

Sensors within a crack in Moku`aweoweo crater floor continued to record background gas concentrations and temperatures.

Since the beginning of January, 2005, HVO analysts have rarely located more than 10 earthquakes per week beneath Mauna Loa summit. Each week, 1-5 earthquakes are also located beneath the Kealakekua area of west Mauna Loa. These levels are typical of the past several years. The Kao`iki seismic zone between Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcano summits remained active with an average of about 30-50 earthquakes per week; the increase may reflect increased seismic activity nearer Kilauea summit rather than increased Kao`iki activity.