Two-year anniversary of Halema’uma’u crater vent explosion ~ Kilauea Volcano active at two locations

(Click on the images for a larger size)
I took this daytime view above is of the Halema’uma’u Crater a few days ago as seen from the craters rim just east of the Jaggar Museum.

Yesterday, March 19th, 2010 marked the two-year anniversary of the explosive appearance of the active lava vent. The United States Geological Survey posted this image below on their images site here, along with this descriptive caption of the event:
“The ongoing summit eruption at Kīlauea began on this day two years ago. This thermal image (white is hot, dark blue is cold), taken during today's helicopter overflight, shows the current vent configuration at Halema`uma`u crater. The vent cavity is about 130 meters (430 ft) wide, and has consumed portions of the wall and floor of Halema`uma`u crater. The vent cavity resides directly below the former Halema`uma`u Overlook, which was badly damaged in the March 19, 2008, vent opening explosion. The active lava surface (about 70 meters, or 230 ft, wide) is situated at a depth of about 200 meters (660 ft) below the rim of the vent cavity. The lava surface consists of large crustal plates—clearly discernable in this image—which slowly migrate from north to south, reflecting circulation in the lava column. A small degassing hole resides on the floor of the vent cavity as well, just south of the lava surface.

Meanwhile on the Pu`u O`o eruption site, east from Kilauea’s Halema’uma’u, molten lava continues to flow through lava tubes and occasionally break out onto the surface high up on the cliffs. Views of flowing lava further down the pali and out onto the coastal flats heading toward the ocean has been rather subdued but visible at times after dark.

Presently the best views for the public of active daytime venting and nighttime lava glows remain within the Volcanoes National Park as seen from the Jaggar Museum. The Park is open 24 hours a day. Rain, fog, vog and blowing mist are often wafting through the park but with patience clear dry air also comes along and opens good viewing opportunities.

For more information:
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park phone Visitor Information 985-6000

Lava Viewing Hotline for coastal lava information: 961-8093 (NOTE: Hawaii County has contracted out the management of the Lava Viewing Area located at the terminus of highway 130 near Kalapana, but as far as I know the hours remain the same, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the Civil Defense phone number above is still updated.)

NOTE: I will not be updating this blog daily due to little change in lava activity and a busy schedule for me these days. I will add updates if conditions radically change,
Aloha,
Leigh

Update for Kilauea Volcano and lava activity

Halema’uma’u crater as seen from the Jaggar Museum crater cam (Click on it for a larger size)

Another D/I – Deflation-Inflation cycle
of magma pressures, as recorded on the USGS HVO deformation graphs are currently showing a strong surge upward, which should translate into brighter glow within the Halema’uma’u crater vent in the Park, as well as some better chances to see active lava spots running down the pali and onto the coastal lava flats at. The pali views are best seen at dusk into to dark from the Civil Defense viewing area off the lava-severed terminus of highway 130 near Kalapana.

Caption & Image courtesy of USGS This image was collected from a thermal camera at the Halema`uma`u Overlook, and shows the current activity at the summit. The active lava pond, about 40 yards across, is situated deep within the vent cavity, at a depth of about 200 yards. The lava surface consists of slowly migrating crustal plates, with a spattering source on the east margin of the pond. The lava surface is slightly deeper than its usual level, owing to deflation during the current deflation-inflation (DI) cycle.
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The USGS HawaiianVolcano Observatory imagery page has two recent additions, this image above and its caption, and also a QuickTime Movie of the pit vent in action, and this caption with it: This Quicktime movie shows the active lava pond deep within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity. The lava is upwelling at the northern margin of the pond (the upper margin in this view), and slowly migrating south towards the bottom of the image, where it sinks out of view. The pond is about 50 yards wide. Small spattering sources appear and disappear occasionally. This video was taken with a thermal camera (white is hot, dark blue is cold), which is able to see through the thick fume. No views were possible with the naked eye today due to the fume, and only loud gas roaring sounds could be heard.
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Lava viewing summary:
Weather permitting, the Halema’uma’u crater within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park may be the best opportunity to see active volcanic activity. Views of the crater in the daytime will be similar to the image at the top of the page here, and after dark, weather permitting, you may see a pretty nice red glow coming up out of that crater (As in the photo below I took there a few weeks ago). The Park is open all night and the Jaggar museum is by far the best vantage point. The museum offers very interesting displays and worth checking out if you have not done so.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park phone Visitor Information
985-6000
Lava Viewing Hotline for coastal lava information: 961-8093

NOTE: I will not be updating this blog daily due to little change in lava activity and a busy schedule for me these days. I will add updates if conditions radically change,
Aloha,
Leigh
-Click on the image for larger size

Intermittent visible lava activity

A woman looks out over the massive Kilauea/Halema’uma’u Crater from the Jaggar Museum overlook lanai.
(Click on image for a larger size)

I liked the strong late afternoon light on the Halema’uma’u yesterday: spliced from the USGS three cam photos. The cam can be viewed here.

Lava viewing conditions in the past few days have seen some intermittent increases in lava glow after dark at the Halema’uma’u, coastal pali and lava flats below. Pahoehoe lava branches on the coastal plain have not reached the ocean yet. DI/Deflation-Inflation magma pressures continue moving up and down every three or four days for some time now. This pulsing action has translated into the ‘intermittent’ lava viewing we are experiencing.

The Jaggar Museum overlook in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open day & night and continues providing occasional nighttime glow from the active lava-pit vent in the crater, as well as daytime views as seen in the photo above.

Coastal lava flows can be viewed from three miles distance at the Hawaii Civil Defense trails and vantage points located off the terminus of highway 130 near Kalapana/Kaimu.

I will not be updating this blog daily due to little change in lava activity and a busy schedule for me these days. I will add updates if conditions radically change,
Aloha,
Leigh