Categorized | Sci-Tech

Volcano Watch: Kilauea activity update for the week of March 24

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

Since the Kamoamoa fissure eruption ended on the evening of March 9, no lava has been erupted on the east rift zone. The floor of Pu`u `O`o is still filled with rubble, and there is no active lava anywhere on the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) flow field.

DI events have returned to the summit this week. During the inflation phase, the lava lake appears deep within the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent and disappears from view during the deflation phase. Several small rock falls within the vent cavity have also occurred this week. Along with the current low levels of activity, the volcanic gas emissions have decreased over the past week but remain elevated, resulting in high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

Two earthquakes beneath Hawai`i Island were reported felt this past week. A magnitude-3.1 earthquake occurred at 5:48 a.m., HST, on Friday, March 18, 2011, and was located offshore, 20 km (13 mi) northwest of Kailua-Kona. A magnitude-2.3 earthquake occurred at 3:35 a.m. on Sunday, March 20, and was located 4 km (3 mi) southwest of Holualoa at a depth of 11 km (7 mi).
Visit the HVO Web site (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for detailed Kilauea and Mauna Loa activity updates, recent volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more; call (808) 967-8862 for a Kilauea summary; email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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