Categorized | Sci-Tech

Volcano Watch: Kilauea activity update for week of May 13

(Activity updates are written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.) 

Over the past week, breakouts along the new Quarry flow were scattered from the top of the Pulama pali to the coast, where the Ki ocean entry remains active.

As of this writing (Thursday, May 20), small breakouts are active along the east margin of the flow a few hundred meters (yards) north of the end of the road. These flows are sluggish, but may reach the road in the coming days to weeks.

At Kilauea’s summit, a circulating lava pond deep in the collapse pit within the floor of Halemaumau Crater was visible via Webcam throughout the past week. The lava surface remained relatively steady, with only a few fluctuations in its depth below the rim of the vent.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

Four earthquakes beneath Hawaii Island were reported felt during the past week.

A magnitude-2.8 earthquake occurred at 7:42 p.m. Thursday, May 13 and was located 7 km (4 miles) southeast of Opihikao, at a depth of 10 km (6 miles).

A magnitude-2.9 earthquake occurred at 10:40 a.m. Saturday, May 15, and was located 17 km (11 miles) northwest of Naalehu, at a depth of 2 km (1 mile).

A magnitude-3.5 earthquake occurred at 10:19 p.m. on Monday, May 17, and was located 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Kaena Point at a depth of 10 km (6 miles).

A magnitude-2.0 earthquake occurred at 8:06 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, and was located 1 km (1 mile) northwest of Pahala at a depth of 37 km (23 miles).

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