USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2018-08-05T01:00:54-07:00

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT
U.S. Geological Survey
Saturday, August 4, 2018, 10:36 PM HST (Sunday, August 5, 2018, 08:36 UTC)

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone

Field observations and UAS overflight images indicate reduced output of lava from fissure 8 today. The significance of this change is not yet clear and hazardous conditions remain in the area.

An HVO and UAS crew will be in the area overnight to monitor and track additional changes. An overflight of the area will occur early tomorrow, weather permitting.

It is common for eruptions to wax and wane or pause completely. A return to high levels of lava discharge or new outbreaks in the area of active fissures are possible at any time. Despite the apparent slow-down at fissure 8, lava remains active in the main channel, minor overflows are reported, and the ocean entry is active at this time.

Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense messages and warnings.

Kīlauea Volcano Summit

Changes are also occurring at the volcano’s summit. The most recent collapse event occurred two day ago, at 11:55 a.m. HST August 2. Rates of earthquakes began to increase soon after as has been typical leading to the next collapse event, but today the rate decreased to a low level without a collapse event. The rate of deformation at the summit as measured by tiltmeter and GPS instruments is also much reduced.

Summit and LERZ changes considered together imply that the rate of magma leaving the summit has decreased. How long this condition will persist is unknown. It is possible that outflow will pick up again, resulting in renewed summit area deflation leading to another collapse event and renewed eruption vigor on the LERZ.

HVO will monitor data through the night.

The next status report will be issued tomorrow morning unless significant changes occur.


MORE INFORMATION

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

Photos/Video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

Lava Flow Maps: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

Definitions of terms used in update: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf

Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions:
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf

Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions:
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf

Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list):
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes:
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php
https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/

CONTACT INFORMATION:

askHVO@usgs.gov

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.