Recent Kilauea Volcano Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases

                               HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE

U.S. Geological Survey

Friday, January 27, 2017, 9:02 AM HST (Friday, January 27, 2017, 19:02 UTC)

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and East Rift Zone. Lava continues to enter the ocean at Kamokuna and surface flows remain active within 2.4 km (1.5 mi) of the vent at Puʻu ʻŌʻō. These lava flows currently pose no threat to nearby communities. The surface height of the lava lake in the Halemaʻumaʻu Overlook crater was roughly 13 m (43 ft) below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater when measured this morning.

Summit Observations: Similar to yesterday's measurement, the lava lake surface was about 13 m (43 ft) below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater when measured this morning. Slight inflationary tilt continues at the summit. A tiltmeter with data that are posted on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website was repaired yesterday, and is again reflecting activity on the volcano. Seismicity rates were at background levels, and as is typical, tremor fluctuated in response to changing lava lake circulation, spattering, and rockfalls. Sulfur dioxide emission rates ranged from about 1,700 to 2,300 metric tons/day over the past week, when measurements were possible during trade wind conditions.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: Webcam images show persistent glow in long-term sources within the crater. Slight deflationary ground tilt has been recorded on nearby tiltmeters; seismicity rates are at background levels. The sulfur dioxide emission rate from all East Rift Zone vents was about 270 metric tons/day when last measured in late December.

Lava Flow Observations: The episode 61g flow is still active and entering the ocean at Kamokuna. Significant delta development was not observed by HVO scientists on a helicopter overflight conducted Wednesday. Very steep bathymetry may be inhibiting reformation since the New Year's Eve collapse event. Thermal images show an area of high temperature about 5-10 m (16-33 ft) from the edge of the sea cliff, with hot cracks running parallell to the sea cliff around the entry point, suggesting sea cliff instability. Scattered surface flows from a small breakout that occurred on January 22 are still active close to the 61g vent, as are surface flows on a secondary branch of the 61g flow. All surface flows are occurring close to Puʻu ʻŌʻō, within about 2.4 km (1.5 mi) of the 61g vent. The episode 61g flows pose no threat to nearby communities at this time.

As a strong caution to visitors viewing the 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. This occurred most recently on December 31. Additionally, 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.

For hiking tips, visit the park website https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-Tips.pdf. For County of Hawai‘i Lava Viewing information, call (808) 430-1966.

For the latest eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website:http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php. For information on volcanic air pollution please see the vog dashboard at: www.ivhhn.org/vog/

Please see these fact sheets for additional information:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs152-00/

MORE INFORMATION

Daily Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862

Lava viewing information:
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm
County of Hawaii: http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-viewing/
Kalapana lava-viewing area: 808-430-1966

Subscribe to these messages: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/

Webcam images: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cams/

Photos/Video: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/multimedia

Lava Flow Maps: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/maps/

Definitions of terms used in update: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea_update/definitions.pdf

Sulfur dioxide emission rate discussion: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/view.php?id=207

Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea_update/background.pdf

Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea_update/hazards.pdf

Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list):
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic/volcweb/earthquakes/

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/

HVO Contact: askHVO@usgs.gov 

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.