Logo link to homepage

Report on Kilauea (United States) — 25 June-1 July 2008


Kilauea

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 25 June-1 July 2008
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2008. Report on Kilauea (United States) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 25 June-1 July 2008. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (25 June-1 July 2008)

Kilauea

United States

19.421°N, 155.287°W; summit elev. 1222 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Based on visual observations from HVO crews and web camera views, HVO reported that during 25 June-1 July, lava flowed SE through a lava tube system from underneath Kilauea's Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex to the Waikupanaha ocean entry. On 24 June, small episodic explosions at Waikupanaha propelled spatter about 50 m into the air; explosions were also noted on other days. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 1,300 tonnes per day when measured on 24 June; the average background rate was about 2,000 tonnes per day. During 28 June-1 July, a small surface 'a'a lava flow near the E boundary of the Royal Gardens subdivision advanced E. During 30 June-1 July, several surface flows from multiple points along the lava tube system were noted.

During the reporting period, Kilauea summit earthquakes were located beneath the summit area, along S-flank faults, and along the E and SW rift zones. Another 20-60 small earthquakes per day also occurred but were too small to be located. The vent in Halema'uma'u crater continued to produce a white plume with minor ash content that drifted mainly SW. Night-time incandescence was seen at the base of the plume. Seismic tremor was elevated. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 900 tonnes per day when measured on 26 June. The background rate is 150-200 tonnes per day.

Geological Summary. Kilauea overlaps the E flank of the massive Mauna Loa shield volcano in the island of Hawaii. Eruptions are prominent in Polynesian legends; written documentation since 1820 records frequent summit and flank lava flow eruptions interspersed with periods of long-term lava lake activity at Halemaumau crater in the summit caldera until 1924. The 3 x 5 km caldera was formed in several stages about 1,500 years ago and during the 18th century; eruptions have also originated from the lengthy East and Southwest rift zones, which extend to the ocean in both directions. About 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano is formed of lava flows less than about 1,100 years old; 70% of the surface is younger than 600 years. The long-term eruption from the East rift zone between 1983 and 2018 produced lava flows covering more than 100 km2, destroyed hundreds of houses, and added new coastline.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)