Hawaii's Kilauea volcano eruption

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A volcanic eruption has occurred near residential areas in Hawaii, prompting the evacuation of residents. The Kilauea volcano, which has been active since 1983, has opened multiple fissures, with reports indicating at least eight active fissures as of May 5, 2018. The eruption has led to concerns about safety, particularly for homes built on ancient lava fields. Despite the ongoing volcanic activity, officials state that the situation has stabilized for the moment, although further eruptions are anticipated. The eruption is characterized by the release of basaltic lava, which differs from more explosive eruptions seen in other regions. Travelers to the Big Island are advised to monitor the situation, as access to certain areas may be restricted, but many attractions remain open. The geological context of the Hawaiian Islands is discussed, highlighting the ongoing volcanic activity and the long-term implications for land use and development in the region.
  • #121
OmCheeto said:
Well... Poop!

BillTre said:
Wow, that is pretty weird!
"Intellectual property," perhaps? Bit of a stretch, putting it on the web and then pulling it, but stranger things have happened.
 
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  • #122
nsaspook said:
WOWOW
 
  • #123
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT
U.S. Geological Survey
Thursday, August 16, 2018, 1:24 PM HST (Thursday, August 16, 2018, 23:24 UTC)KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Kīlauea summit and lower East Rift Zone

The lull in activity at Kīlauea Volcano continues. No summit collapse events have occurred since August 2, and, with the exception of a small, crusted-over pond of lava deep inside the fissure 8 cone and a few scattered ocean entries, lava stopped flowing in the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) on August 6. Sulfur dioxide emission rates at both the summit and LERZ are drastically reduced; the combined rate is lower than at any time since late 2007.

Earthquake and deformation data show no net accumulation, withdrawal, or significant movement of subsurface magma or pressurization as would be expected if the system was building toward a resumption of activity.

It is too soon to tell if this change represents a temporary lull or the end of the LERZ eruption and/or summit collapse activity. In 1955, similar pauses of 5 and 16 days occurred during an 88-day-long LERZ eruption. During the Mauna Ulu eruption (1969-1974), a 3.5 month pause occurred in late 1971.
 
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  • #124
Here is a NY Times article that reviews the timeline of this eruption.
It has some nice pictures.
Something I found interesting was that the approximate volume of lava coming out was about what they predicted the volume of magma in the volcano that was affected from the drop in magma level (if I understand it correctly).
This seems to mean that the erupting lava was squirting out a side leak of the main volcano's plumbing and no new magma was required.
 
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  • #125
BillTre said:
This seems to mean that the erupting lava was squirting out a side leak of the main volcano's plumbing and no new magma was required.

yup, the existing full magma chamber emptied out. This was very evident with the collapses of the caldera
 
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  • #126
As an update, here is a recent helicopter video showing the terran and where some roads have been made over the lava.
 
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  • #127
I would imagine that the song of Jimmy Buffet's, Volcano would apply""Now I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a going to go
When the volcano blow..."But they are making inroads on it!