Changes in the Erupting Hawaiian Volcano

Kilauea Volcano on the Island of Hawaii has been extremely active since last year. On March 19, 2008, Halema'uma'u crater on Kilauea had an explosion that generated a magnitude 3.7 earthquake and scattered rocks over a 75-acre area. A week later, the white gas from the vent in the crater turned brown-gray and lava particles were emitted. Another vent 15 miles from the Kilauea caldera towards Hilo, Pu’u O’o vent, began spewing gasses in earnest adding yet more gas and Vog (volcanic fog) over the islands of Hawaii. The picture above was taken from Jaggar Museum in Volcanoes National Park on April 11, 2008. The vent was putting out a lot of gas, but was small in circumference.

Over the past year the Volcano has become increasingly active with lava flowing to the ocean, frequent earthquakes, and the Halema’uma’u vent glowing red from swirling lava coming closer to the surface. In August of last year we were able to see the Volcano’s gaseous plume all the way from Hilo.

We regularly drive up from Hilo to Volcanoes National Park to check out the Halema’uma’u vent and witness the powerful presence of the Volcano. We have been greatly impressed by the output of white and gray gasses and the continued growth of the circumference of the vent.

A picture of the crater taken from Jaggar Museum on June 27, 2009, shows the enlarged vent with heavy gaseous output. At that time, the vent glowed brightly at night.

The past couple of weeks the volcano surprised us with its decrease in output. Here are some pictures from July 6, 2009.
Starting July 4 the plume turned wispy and the sulfur dioxide emission rate was the lowest measured since the beginning of 2008 and comparable to the 2003-2007 average daily rates.

Perhaps, the overwhelming Vog that we have been experiencing on the west side of the Big Island and along the Hawaiian Island chain will subside and the blue skies over Kona will return.

Some useful Links:

Visiting Volcanoes National Park

Live CAM of Halema'uma'u crater on Kilauea

USGS Kilauea Eruption Status Reports

Volcanoes National Park air quality

Volcanoes National Park web site