NY Times: Witnessing the Birth of a Crater Lake.... Kīlauea

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In summary, the New York Times article discusses the formation of a new crater lake at the site of a previous lava lake at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. The previous lava lake rapidly drained last year and has now been replaced by water rising from below. There is now a potential hazard for a phreatic eruption.
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New York Times:

Witnessing the Birth of a Crater Lake Where Lava Just Flowed
The magma mysteriously drained from the crevice last year, and now scorching pools of water are bubbling up from below.

By Robin George Andrews
  • Aug. 7, 2019
Last spring, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began its most destructive eruption in recorded history. On May 2, as its underlying magma supply headed to the mountain’s lower east rift zone, a lava lake within the Halema’uma’u summit crater that had been there for 10 years began to rapidly drain. A week later, this pool of molten fury had vanished from sight.
Now, long after the last embers of that eruption faded, the lake is being replaced by water that is likely rising from below.
[article continues]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/07/science/hawaii-kilauea-volcano-crater-lake.html
A visually delightful Photo and Video chronology from the USGS:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=e1a07edd-637a-47c0-9179-eeff9346e29f&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

USGS Volcano Watch Blogpost on the subject:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observat...-8025-7b74cda06a6e&utm_content=&utm_campaign=
Kīlauea and Mauna Loa current status: (you can use a drop down menu from on these pages to switch between various volcanoes)

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/
USGS -The May 1924 Explosive Eruption of Kīlauea

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/geo_hist_1924_halemaumau.html
enjoy!

diogenesNY
 
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Um, there's scant mystery about it: when the flank rifted, the lava went thataway...
But, there's now a growing hazard of potential phreatic eruption...
 
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Nik_2213 said:
Um, there's scant mystery about it: when the flank rifted, the lava went thataway...
But, there's now a growing hazard of potential phreatic eruption...
Yeah, agreed ... no mystery there ... typical media making more out of it than necessary
 
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FAQ: NY Times: Witnessing the Birth of a Crater Lake.... Kīlauea

What is Kīlauea?

Kīlauea is a shield volcano located on the island of Hawaii. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has been erupting continuously since 1983.

How was the crater lake at Kīlauea formed?

The crater lake at Kīlauea was formed by a series of explosive eruptions in 2018. These eruptions caused the crater floor to collapse, creating a depression that was then filled with water from rain and groundwater.

Why is the formation of a crater lake at Kīlauea significant?

The formation of a crater lake at Kīlauea is significant because it is the first time in over 200 years that a crater lake has formed at this volcano. It also provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the evolution of a new crater lake and its impact on the surrounding environment.

What challenges did scientists face while studying the crater lake at Kīlauea?

Scientists faced several challenges while studying the crater lake at Kīlauea, including the hazardous conditions caused by ongoing volcanic activity and the difficulty of accessing the remote location of the crater. They also had to carefully monitor the lake's water chemistry to ensure the safety of their equipment and themselves.

What can we learn from studying the crater lake at Kīlauea?

Studying the crater lake at Kīlauea can provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of crater lakes, as well as the impact of volcanic activity on the surrounding environment. It can also help us better understand the behavior of Kīlauea and other active volcanoes, potentially leading to improved hazard assessments and mitigation strategies.

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