Volcano Watch: As HVO’s centennial year ends, a New Year of volcanic milestones begins

During the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's centennial open house, HVO Scientist-in-Charge Jim Kauahikaua points to data displays as he explains how Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes are monitored to some of the more than 1,400 people who attended the January 21 event. USGS photo by Ben Gaddis.

During the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s centennial open house, HVO Scientist-in-Charge Jim Kauahikaua points to data displays as he explains how Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes are monitored to some of the more than 1,400 people who attended the January 21 event. USGS photo by Ben Gaddis.

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

Although Kilauea’s eruptive activity has been relatively uneventful the past 11 months, the consensus at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is that 2012 has still been quite a year!

It began, as did the previous two years, with Volcano Awareness Month in January, during which HVO scientists presented a series of informative talks about Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes. But 2012 was not just another year for us—it was the 100th anniversary of HVO’s founding.

Thomas Jaggar (second from left) prepares to measure the temperature of the Halemaumau lava lake in 1917. Pictured, left to right, William Twigg-Smith, Thomas Jaggar, Lorrin Thurston, Joe Monez, and Alex Lancaster. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

Thomas Jaggar (second from left) prepares to measure the temperature of the Halemaumau lava lake in 1917. Pictured, left to right, William Twigg-Smith, Thomas Jaggar, Lorrin Thurston, Joe Monez, and Alex Lancaster. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

Conducting and planning events to commemorate HVO’s milestone anniversary kept us especially busy in January. Among other happenings, we created a special exhibit of historical HVO images featured in a local gallery and hosted a poster contest for Hawai`i Island 4th grade students, who amazed us with their artistic interpretation of HVO’s centennial.

We also celebrated HVO’s centennial with an Open House. Because the observatory is not ordinarily open to the public, more than 1,400 island residents and visitors took advantage of the opportunity to see how we monitor Hawai`i’s volcanoes and earthquakes through hands-on activities and displays provided by HVO staff.

During our centennial events, we distributed copies of a new USGS publication written specifically for HVO’s anniversary: “The Story of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory—A Remarkable First 100 Years of Tracking Eruptions and Earthquakes.” This booklet, which includes a timeline of significant volcanic and seismic events and recounts HVO’s accomplishments since 1912, can be read online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/135/

Several other general interest products by HVO staff were published in 2011-2012: USGS Fact Sheets about Kilauea’s explosive history, earthquakes in Hawai`i, and the history and hazards of Mauna Loa; DVDs of selected time-lapse movies from Kilauea’s East Rift Zone eruption and the 2006 Kiholo Bay-Mahukona earthquakes; and a USGS Open File Report on the impact of the 2011 Japan tsunami on Hawai`i. These USGS products can be accessed on HVO’s Website (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/products/).

HVO’s centennial year provided an occasion for USGS and other volcanologists to reflect on how far our understanding of Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes has come. In August, close to 180 scientists from around the world gathered on Hawai`i Island to participate in “Hawaiian Volcanoes: From Source to Surface,” a conference convened by the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

An ongoing centennial endeavor is recording interviews with past and present HVO staff and volunteers to compile an oral history of HVO and Hawaiian volcanic activity. The “alumni” stories recorded so far have captured valuable memories, insights, and information for future HVO staff.

Sulfur dioxide gas emissions from the crater of Pu‘u ‘O‘o on Kīlauea’s east rift zone (above) and the vent within Halemaumau Crater at Kilauea’s summit create volcanic pollution that affects the air quality of downwind communities. Here, an HVO gas geochemist measures Pu‘u ‘O‘o gas emissions using an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

An HVO gas geochemist measures Pu‘u ‘O‘o gas emissions using an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light. Photo courtesy of USGS/HVO

Throughout 2012, HVO diligently worked to expand and modernize its volcano monitoring network—improving our ability to keep close watch on Hawai`i’s volcanoes. All the while, Kilauea continued to erupt at vents along the volcano’s East Rift Zone and at its summit. The eruptions kept us busy, but the activity was mostly uneventful until recently, when Kilauea’s summit lava lake reached its highest level to date (October 26), and lava flows reached the ocean for the first time in 2012 (November 24).

As the end of 2012 nears, HVO is preparing for 2013, which will be another banner year—the 30th anniversary of Kilauea’s ongoing East Rift Zone eruption (January 3), and the 5th anniversary of Kilauea’s ongoing summit eruption (March 19).

The New Year begins with the 4th annual Volcano Awareness Month in January, when HVO speakers will again present a series of talks. The first will focus on the 30-year history and current status of Kilauea’s East Rift Zone eruption. This same talk will be presented twice: on January 3, at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, in Room UCB 100, and on January 8, at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Both begin at 7:00 p.m. and are free to the public, but park entrance fees may apply for the “After Dark in the Park” program.

Throughout January, HVO scientists will present additional talks around the island. Topics include a Kilauea summit eruption update, volcano monitoring tools and techniques, Mauna Loa eruptive history and current status, and more. A complete schedule and details about all Volcano Awareness Month activities will be posted on the HVO website in mid-December.

We look forward to marking Kilauea’s volcanic milestones in 2013 with talks in January and other programs later in the year. Hope to see you there!

A highlight of HVO's 100th anniversary in 2012 was the Centennial Poster Contest for Hawaii Island 4th grade students.  The poster shown here was created by Jyron Young, who was awarded the Grand Prize for his artistic depiction of 100 years of volcano watching in Hawaii.  Image courtesy of USGS.

A highlight of HVO’s 100th anniversary in 2012 was the Centennial Poster Contest for Hawaii Island 4th grade students. The poster shown here was created by Jyron Young, who was awarded the Grand Prize for his artistic depiction of 100 years of volcano watching in Hawaii. Image courtesy of USGS.

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