Recent Mauna Loa Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY BIWEEKLY UPDATE
Monday, April 27, 2009 5:50 PM HST (Tuesday, April 28, 2009 03:50 UTC)
Report prepared by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
MAUNA LOA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-02=) 19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m) Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
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, 2008, due mostly to slippage on basalt faults beneath Mauna Loa's east flank and not to an increase in magma supply to the volcano. Recent instrumental problems with a summit GPS receiver have produced more-than-usual data scatter - this problem will be corrected when weather permits.
Tiltmeters have recorded no significant changes other than abrupt offsets that are related to instrumental issues or significant earthquakes. Diurnal tilt, or the tilting due to daily heating and cooling of the ground, was diminished by snowfall starting Christmas Eve, 2008.
Sensors within a crack in Moku`aweoweo crater floor continued to record background gas concentrations; fumarole temperatures also remained steady except for a few several-hour-long periods of temperature decrease due to snowfall.
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 Ka`oiki activity.
Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Mauna Loa Volcano are available at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloastatus.php.
A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/
A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/2006/warnschemes.html
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY BIWEEKLY UPDATE
Friday, March 27, 2009 9:08 AM HST (Friday, March 27, 2009 19:08 UTC)
Report prepared by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
MAUNA LOA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-02=) 19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m) Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
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, 2008, due mostly to slippage on basalt faults beneath Mauna Loa's east flank and not to an increase in magma supply to the volcano. Recent instrumental problems with a summit GPS receiver have produced more-than-usual data scatter - this problem will be corrected when weather permits.
Tiltmeters have recorded no significant changes other than abrupt offsets that are related to instrumental issues. Diurnal tilt, or the tilting due to daily heating and cooling of the ground, was diminished by snowfall starting Christmas Eve, 2008.
Sensors within a crack in Moku`aweoweo crater floor continued to record background gas concentrations; fumarole temperatures also remained steady except for a few several-hour-long periods of temperature decrease due to snowfall.
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 Ka`oiki activity.
Come Join Us: Mauna Loa's most recent eruption began on March 25, 1984 - 25 years ago this month. To mark this occasion, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will present a series of public programs on the eruptive history and current status of the volcano. The community programs are being conducted to provide information to make residents aware of the volcano and its history-not because Mauna Loa is likely to erupt soon.
HVO will host three community programs in collaboration with the University of Hawai'i, the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, Hawai`i County Civil Defense, and the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. These programs will consist of a brief introductory presentation followed by a "talk story" session in which attendees can view displays about Mauna Loa and interact with scientists and Hawai'i County Civil Defense and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park representatives.
The "talk story" displays will address frequently asked questions about Mauna Loa, such as: How is Mauna Loa monitored? How dangerous is this volcano? Will Mauna Loa erupt soon? What do past eruptions tell us about Mauna Loa's next eruption?
Everyone is invited to participate in the community programs. Island residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and seek answers from volcanologists and other scientists. A special table of activities and demonstrations "just for kids" will also be available to engage children in learning about volcanoes.
Community programs schedule: · Saturday, March 28 - UH Hilo Campus in UCB 100/127, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. · Saturday, March 28 - St. Jude's Church in Ocean View, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. · Saturday, April 4 - Konawaena Middle School Cafeteria in Kealakekua, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Mauna Loa Volcano are available at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloastatus.php.
A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/
A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/2006/warnschemes.html
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY BIWEEKLY UPDATE
Monday, March 2, 2009 3:05 PM HST (Tuesday, March 3, 2009 01:05 UTC)
Report prepared by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
MAUNA LOA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-02=) 19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m) Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
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, 2008, 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. Diurnal tilt, or the tilting due to daily heating and cooling of the ground, was diminished by snowfall starting Christmas Eve, 2008.
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.
Come Join Us: Mauna Loa's most recent eruption began on March 25, 1984 - 25 years ago this month. To mark this occasion, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will present a series of public programs on the eruptive history and current status of the volcano. The community programs are being conducted to provide information so that residents are aware of the volcano and its history—not because Mauna Loa is likely to erupt soon.
The series begins with two talks as part of the After Dark in the Park program in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. On March 17, Frank Trusdell will speak on “Mauna Loa: The World’s Largest Volcano.” On March 24, Jack Lockwood “Rivers of Lava: Mauna Loa’s 1984 Eruption." Both talks begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium located within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
HVO will also hold three community programs in collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i, the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, Hawai`i County Civil Defense, and the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. These programs will consist of a brief introductory presentation followed by a “talk story” session in which attendees can view displays about Mauna Loa and interact with scientists and Hawai‘i County Civil Defense and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park representatives.
The “talk story” displays will address frequently asked questions about Mauna Loa, such as: How is Mauna Loa monitored? How dangerous is this volcano? Will Mauna Loa erupt soon? What do past eruptions tell us about Mauna Loa’s next eruption?
Everyone is invited to participate in the community programs. Island residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and seek answers from volcanologists and other scientists. A special table of activities and demonstrations “just for kids” will also be available to engage children in learning about volcanoes.
Community programs schedule: · Saturday, March 28 - UH Hilo Campus in UCB 100/127, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. · Saturday, March 28 - St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. · Saturday, April 4 - Konawaena Middle School Cafeteria in Kealakekua, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Mauna Loa Volcano are available at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloastatus.php.
A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/
A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/2006/warnschemes.html
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY BIWEEKLY UPDATE
Friday, February 20, 2009 12:59 PM HST (Friday, February 20, 2009 22:59 UTC)
Report prepared by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
MAUNA LOA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-02=) 19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m) Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
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, 2008,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. Diurnal tilt, or the tilting due to daily heating and cooling of the ground, was diminished by snowfall starting Christmas Eve, 2008.
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.
Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Mauna Loa Volcano are available at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloastatus.php.
A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/
A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/2006/warnschemes.html
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.
