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LavaTalk: Kilauea Volcano status update for Monday (Nov 7)


This video shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake, and this video shows the view from the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu (closed to the public due to volcanic hazards). This spattering has recently been visible from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Video taken Friday, November 4, 2016 courtesy of USGS/HVO

Monday, November 7, 2016 U.S. Geological Survey/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kilauea Volcano Status

Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and East Rift Zone. This morning, sharp deflationary tilt is occuring at the summit. The summit lava lake surface remains high, and was measured at about 12 m (39 ft) below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. The 61g lava flow continues to enter the sea at Kamokuna, posing no threat to nearby communities.

Summit Observations: The relatively steady tilt measured since October 29, has been interupted by sharp deflationary tilt, beganning early this morning. The elevation of the lake surface is currently still high and was measured at about 12 m (39 ft) below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Spattering continues intermittently from various locations along the margins of the lake. For current Webcam views of the lava lake, see: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cams/region_kism.php

Seismicity is within the range of normal, background rates. Tremor amplitude continues to fluctuate as vigor of lava lake spattering waxes and wanes. Average daily summit sulfur dioxide emission rates as measured by the Flyspec array ranged from about 3,600 to 8,000 metric tons/day during the past week.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: Webcam views continue to show persistent glow at known, long-term sources within the crater. There were no significant changes in seismicity over the past 24 hours. Deflationary tilt has been measured over the past day at Puʻu ʻŌʻō. The sulfur dioxide emission rate from all East Rift Zone vents was about 310 metric tons/day when last measured on November 3.

Lava Flow Observations: The 61g lava flow from PuÊ»u ʻŌʻō continues to enter the ocean at Kamokuna on KÄ«lauea Volcano’s south coast. Activity is concentrated at the front of the east lava delta. Aerial observations have noted a relatively large eastern delta with prominent cracks on the surface, which suggest instability and an increased potential for larger collapse events. Over the weekend, HawaiÊ»i Volcanoes National Park reported a channelized aÊ»a flow at the base of PÅ«lama pali.

As a strong caution to visitors viewing the 61g flow ocean entry (where lava meets the sea), there are additional significant hazards besides walking on uneven surfaces and around unstable, extremely steep sea cliffs. Venturing too close to an ocean entry exposes you to flying debris created by the explosive interaction between lava and water. Also, the new land created is unstable because it is built on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand. This loose material can easily be eroded away by surf, causing the new land to become unsupported and slide into the sea. In several instances, such collapses, once started, have also incorporated parts of the older sea cliff.

Finally, the interaction of lava with the ocean creates a corrosive seawater plume laden with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Please see these fact sheets for additional information: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs152-00/
For comprehensive information on volcanic air pollution please see the vog dashboard at: www.ivhhn.org/vog/

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