The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory observations and measurements of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption on Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone during the past month suggest that the magma system beneath Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō has become increasingly pressurized.

If this activity continues, a new vent could form at any time, either on the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone or along adjacent areas of the East Rift Zone.

The Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption continues to supply lava to the 61g flow and the lava pond within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater.

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As of April 13, 2018, geologists observed scattered breakouts from the 61g flow within about 1.4 miles from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and a sluggish breakout about 3.1 miles from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

During the past few weeks, lava flows have also erupted onto the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor.

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Since mid-March 2018, a tiltmeter and GPS station on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō have recorded a pronounced inflationary trend of the cone, and recent webcam images have detected simultaneous uplift of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor by several yards. These observations provide evidence that magma is accumulating at shallow depths beneath Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Similar episodes of inflation and uplift of the crater floor at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō occurred in May and June 2014 and May 2016. These episodes preceded the opening of new vents on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō that produced the June 27 flow (active 2014 to 2016) and the 61g flow (active since 2016), respectively.

Breakouts from the 61g lava flow are located close to Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and above the Pulama Pali within the Kahaualeʻa Natural Area Reserve (NAR) and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, respectively.

Because of volcanic hazards, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources has restricted public access to the Kahauale‘a Natural Area Reserve since 2007. Areas within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are also closed.

HAZARD ANALYSIS

A new vent located on the cone of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō would erupt lava flows onto one or more sides of the cone that would initially advance downslope rapidly within a few miles from the vent. Because of the potential for a sudden breakout anywhere on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the cone is extremely hazardous. The location of a new vent or potential lava-flow paths cannot be estimated until such time that a new vent forms and stabilizes.

HISTORY

Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone eruption began in January 1983 with high lava fountains that built a cinder-and-spatter cone, later named Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Subsequent activity included continuous lava effusion from vents on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō or within a few miles east or west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Most of the lava flows erupted from these vents have advanced down the south flank of Kīlauea, often reaching the ocean.

VIDEO: Through historical photos of past Halema‘uma‘u eruptions and stunning 4K imagery of the current eruption, this 24-minute program tells the story of Kīlauea Volcano’s summit lava lake. The video briefly recounts the eruptive history of Halema‘uma‘u and describes the formation and continued growth of the current summit vent and lava lake.

A new vent that opened on the northeast flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō on June 27, 2014, sent a lava flow (informally called the June 27 flow) 20 km (12.4 miles) to the northeast and into Pāhoa, a town in the Puna District of the Island of Hawai‘i. This lava flow persisted until early March 2015, when all activity near Pāhoa ceased.

On May 24, 2016, the opening of a new vent on the east flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō led to the demise of the June 27 vent and flow, and sent a new lava flow (61g flow) south-southeast toward the ocean. The flow advanced about 10 km (6.2 miles), reaching the ocean on July 26, 2016. Lava stopped flowing into the ocean in early November 2017, after which surface flows have progressively retreated to near-vent areas above the Pulama Pali.

Daily updates on all volcanic activity at Kīlauea are issued each morning and posted here.

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Email [email protected] for more information.</s>Scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory report that the magma system beneath Kilauea’s Puu Oo cone has become increasingly pressurized, a fact that could lead to the formation of a new vent and lava flow.

Scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory report that the magma system beneath Kilauea’s Puu Oo cone has become increasingly pressurized, a fact that could lead to the formation of a new vent and lava flow.

Steven Brantley, deputy scientist in charge at the observatory, said today that observations and measurements over the past month have led to the conclusion that a new vent could soon form.

“The cone is extremely hazardous and could be flooded at any time,” Brantley said.

The vent could form at the cone or in adjacent areas along Kilauea’s east rift zone, he said, but it’s impossible to say exactly where and to where it might flow.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued a Volcano Activity Notice warning of the potential volcanic activity on Tuesday.

Since about mid-March, a tiltmeter and GPS station at Puu Oo have seen a pronounced inflationary movement of the cone, and recent webcam images have recorded an uplift of the crater floor by several yards, the notice said.

It appears that magma is accumulating at shallow depths beneath the cone, Brantley said.

He said scientists believe a new vent could soon form because similar episodes of inflation and uplift at Puu Oo preceded the last vents that opened up — in May and June 2014, which produced the June 27 flow that threatened Pahoa and May 2016, which produced a flow that is still active.

Although the area around the cone is closed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and Volcanoes National Park, some people still venture up there.

“This is a really bad time to go out to Puu Oo,” Brantley said.</s>Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has recently shown signs of increased activity at the summit and rift zones. The summit lava lake inside Halema ‘uma’ u crater has been rising, a swarm of earthquakes has been detected under the volcano and pressure is building in a magma system beneath the Pu'u 'Ō'ō volcanic cone in the eastern rift zone. You can watch the ongoing activity of the Kilauea volcano at the summit and the east rift zone live. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has set up a selection of webcams and thermal images at various points to keep updated on the ongoing activity.

The summit lava lake inside Halema ‘uma’ u summit crater had been significantly increasing and was approaching the rim of the containing pit crater. However since Tuesday morning, the lava lake level has dropped slightly - it has dropped roughly 4m (13ft) since April 16. The floor of Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater - a volcanic cone in the eastern rift zone of the Kilauea volcano - has been uplifted and small lava flows have erupted onto its floor. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has said the magma system has become increasingly pressurised.

The interpretation of this according to the USGS is that a larger amount magma is currently being stored at shallow depths beneath the vent. If this trend continues it is likely the magma will open a new vent in the near future and could herald a new episode of ongoing eruption. The USGS’s latest statement said: “Observations and measurements of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō eruption on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone during the past month suggest that the magma system beneath Pu'u 'Ō'ō has become increasingly pressurised. “If this activity continues, a new vent could form at any time, either on the Pu'u 'Ō'ō cone or along adjacent areas of the East Rift Zone.”

The USGS said similar episodes of inflation and uplift of the crater floor have occurred between May to June 2014 and May 2016. It said: “These episodes preceded the opening of new vents on Pu'u 'Ō'ō that produced the June 27th flow (active 2014-2016) and the 61g flow (active since 2016) respectively.” The location of new vent is impossible to predict, but the most likely scenario would be a new vent located on the cone of Pu'u 'Ō'ō or at its base. However the USGS said the cone is “extremely hazardous” as the vent could breakout anywhere and rapid lava flows would ensue.</s>Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is reporting that the magma system beneath Kilauea’s Puu Oo cone has become increasingly pressurized, leading scientists to believe a new vent and lava flow may be imminent.</s>In Hawaii a total of 18 earthquakes have been measured under Kilauea volcano during the last 18 hours. The largest earthquakes measured on the Big Island was a magnitude 2.2 earthquake measured on Wednesday, 6km southwest of the volcano. Kilauea is showing increased signs of activity, as the summit lava lake remains at a high level and continues to rise. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory spokeswoman Janet Babb said: “Overall, it’s been on the high side. With this latest inflation, it’s just pushing up even higher.”

According to the HVO, the lava level is continuing to rise and there has been a slight increase in seismicity on the East Rift Zone near the summit area. In Mexico the Cerro Prieto volcano is showing an increase in activity with a magnitude 2.4 earthquake measured. The volcano is located in the Mexican state of Baja California ad the quake measured might be volcanic in original at a depth of 12km. A volcano tectonic earthquake is an earthquake induced by the movement - either injection or withdrawal - of magma. These earthquakes do not indicate the volcano will be erupting but can occur at anytime.

A swarm of earthquakes has been detected under the Clear Lake volcano in California - 16 have been measured during the past 21 hours at depths ranging between 4.4 and 0.2km. Clear Lake Volcanic Field is located about 90 miles north of San Francisco and the most prominent volcanic feature is 300,000 year-old Mount Konocti. The volcanic field has not erupted for several millennia, sporadic volcanic-type earthquakes do occur and the numerous hot springs and volcanic gas seeps at in the area point to its potential to erupt again. Across the world, in Greece, a magnitude 2.7 earthquake was felt beneath the Nisyros volcano which may have been volcanic in its origin.

The Greek Island is in the Aegean and is the youngest volcano along a rift in the Southern Aegean and has experienced at least three major eruptions in the past 45,000 years. One of these, around 16,000 years ago, was particularly destructive, blanketing a wide area with volcanic ash. The Sakurajima volcano in Japan has recently been showing high levels of activity. At the beginning of April, there were between two to four vulcanian explosions per day, increasing the total number for recorded explosions this year to 32 so far.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory states that Kīlauea is showing unusually high activity and that a new vent could form.