Recent Mauna Loa Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY BIWEEKLY UPDATE
Monday, December 8, 2008 16:49 HST (Tuesday, December 9, 2008 02:49 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. Line lengths have been increasing at a slightly faster rate since September, due mostly to slippage on basalt faults beneath Mauna Loa's east flank and not to an increase in magma supply to the volcano.

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 10-40 earthquakes per week; these numbers may reflect increased seismic activity nearer Kilauea summit rather than increased Kao`iki activity.