Volcano Watch: Kilauea activity update for the week of June 16

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

A small lava lake was present deep within the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent during the past week. Two deflation/inflation cycles were recorded at the summit this week. The level of the lake fell during the deflation and rose again slightly during the inflation, exposing a lava cascade within the vent when the lake level was low. Several periods of rise/fall cycles occurred when the lake level was high. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated, resulting in relatively high concentrations of sulfur dioxide downwind.

The lava pond in Pu`u `Ō `ō Crater has rebuilt its retaining walls and is once again perched 3-5 m (10-16 ft) above the surrounding crater floor. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

The lava pond in Pu`u `Ō `ō Crater has rebuilt its retaining walls and is once again perched 3-5 m (10-16 ft) above the surrounding crater floor. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

Lava also erupted continuously within Pu`u `O`o over the past week, feeding a lava lake perched above the crater floor. Small overflows topped the rim of the perched pond early in the week, but dropped below the rim and remained there the rest of the week. Two vents on the west and southwest crater floor were also active over the weekend but ceased erupting on the afternoon of June 13. Small overflows continued to pour over the edges of the perched lava lake. No lava is erupting outside the crater.

HVO geologist and helicopter pilot repair a mobile Webcam on Kupaianaha to continue monitoring the east flank of Pu`u `Ō `ō. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

HVO geologist and helicopter pilot repair a mobile Webcam on Kupaianaha to continue monitoring the east flank of Pu`u `Ō `ō. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

Two earthquakes beneath Hawai`i Island were reported felt this past week. A magnitude-3.9 earthquake occurred at 10:21 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2011, HST, and was located 7 km (4 mi) northeast of Ka`ena Point at a depth of 9 km (5 mi). A magnitude-1.9 earthquake occurred at 8:06 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, and was located 7 km (4 mi) northwest of Pahala at a depth of 8 km (5 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.

Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

One Response to “Volcano Watch: Kilauea activity update for the week of June 16”

  1. Bryan says:

    This could go on for days or even years before something gives.

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