America’s Volcanoes

For the first time ever a Volcanic Ash Advisory has been released for a volcano in Hawaii:

FVXX21 KNES 242047 CCA
VA ADVISORY -CORRECTION
DTG: 20080324/2046Z

VAAC: WASHINGTON

VOLCANO: KILAUEA 1302-01
PSN: N1925 W15516

AREA: HAWAIIAN.IS

SUMMIT ELEV: 4009 FT (1222 M)

ADVISORY NR: 2008/001

INFO SOURCE: GOES-11. GFS WINDS. USGS.

ERUPTION DETAILS: SMALL ERUPTION REPORTED

OBS VA DTG: 24/1930Z

OBS VA CLD: VA NOT IDENTIFIABLE FROM SATELLITE
DATA WINDS SFC/FL100 050/5-10KT

FCST VA CLD +6HR: 25/0130Z NOT AVBL

FCST VA CLD +12HR: 25/0730Z NOT AVBL

FCST VA CLD +18HR: 25/1330Z NOT AVBL

RMK: CORRECTED FOR HEIGHT OF ASH
THE HVO REPORTED THE STEAM PLUME FROM THE VOLCANO
IS NOW CONTAINING ASH. THE WEB CAM CONFIRMS THIS
ERUPTION. REPORTED HEIGHT IS 3000-5000 AGL
MOVING SW. ASH IS NOT SEEN DUE TO CLOUD COVER
OVER THE HALEMA’UMA’U CRATER. …SPAMPATA/WALTER

NXT ADVISORY: WILL BE ISSUED BY 20080325/0245Z

NNNN

You can see the ash on the webcam located here.

The daily update for Kilauea from HVO:

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
Monday, March 24, 2008 06:46 HST (Monday, March 24, 2008 16:46 UTC)

KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW#1302-01-)
19.43°N 155.29°W, Summit Elevation 4009 ft (1222 m)
Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

This report, in addition to maps, photos, and webcam images (available using the menu bar above), was prepared by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO):

Activity Summary for last 24 hours: Kilauea Volcano is active at two different locations. Lava continued to flow into the ocean at the Waikupanaha and Ki ocean entries. The east margin of the flow field has not advanced significantly. At the summit, no new explosions have occurred but there was eruption of small incandescent particles overnight. Sulfur dioxide emission rates and seismic tremor levels continued elevated to several times background levels.

Hazard Summary: Hazardous conditions exist in four areas on Kilauea volcano - potentially harmful sulfur dioxide concentrations and possible small explosions at the summit, potentially harmful sulfur dioxide concentrations and unstable conditions around the Pu`u `O`o/July 21/TEB vent area, lava flow threat to the Royal Gardens subdivision and the coastal plain to the southeast, and hazardous conditions associated with lava entering the ocean.

1. The current increase in sulfur dioxide emission rates at the summit means that SO2 concentrations in the air are likely to be at hazardous levels for areas downwind of emission sources in Halema`uma`u crater. The National Park Service has closed Crater Rim Drive through the south caldera area until further notice (http://www.nps.gov/havo/closed_areas.htm). Most people are sensitive to sulfur dioxide at these levels. Children and individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing problems especially should avoid downwind areas. During tradewind conditions (brisk winds from the northeast), concentrations will be highest and most hazardous in the south caldera: southwest rift zone, south caldera pullouts, and the Halema`uma`u overlook parking lot - The National Park Service has closed this section of Crater Rim Drive. During weak or southerly winds, concentrations may be high and hazardous throughout the summit area of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities. Stay informed about SO2 concentrations in continuously monitored areas at Jaggar Museum and Kilauea Visitor Center (http:// www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/havoso2alert/havoalert.cfm).

The possibility of future small explosions from Halema`uma`u Crater cannot yet be ruled out.

2. Vent areas and lava channels are hazardous and conditions can change rapidly. Sulfur dioxide emissions from Pu`u `O`o are high and result in hazardous concentrations downwind. Access to the 7/21 eruption site in the Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve is closed (see http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/chair/pio/HtmlNR/07-N076.htm). Wao Kele o Puna is also closed.

3. There continues to be a threat from lava flows to anyone within Royal Gardens subdivision and the coastal plain. As long as lava flows are active south of fissure D, the subdivision is within likely paths of future flows. The rootless shields, which are now less than two miles from the subdivision, can collapse and release lava flows that advance that distance within a few days. Tube- or channel-fed lava flows established within the subdivision and on the coastal plain remain a threat due to tube ruptures which can produce new lava flows. Lava flows advancing through vegetation are hazardous and can produce fire and methane explosions that propel chunks of lava and rock several feet into the air. Hawai`i County Civil Defense has been notified and is taking appropriate measures (www.lavainfo.us).

4. Lava entering the ocean poses two additional hazards - potential collapse and laze. Lava entering the ocean builds a delta over its own rubble that is extremely unstable. That delta can collapse without warning and expose very hot surfaces to waves which can explode and throw rock debris up to one-quarter mile inland. For these reason, spectators should avoid the delta and the area one-quarter mile inland. The interaction between seawater and lava produces a steam plume laced with acids and fine particles of volcanic glass or ‘laze’ that is unhealthy if inhaled and can produce skin or eye irritation if contacted. Hawai`i County continues to open a public viewing area between 2 and 10 pm with the last car allowed in at 8 pm. For details, see www.lavainfo.us.

TEB lava flows at the coast as of yesterday evening (from combined HVO and NPS eruption crew reports): Lava continued to flow into the ocean at the Waikupanaha and Ki ocean entries with three strong steam plumes. The eastern margin of the flow field had not advanced and was 120 m (400 ft) west of the County viewing area. There was no burning in the kipuka consistent with a lack of flow activity along the western kipuka margin. The lava tube system seems, for the moment, to be stable and transporting lava efficiently to the ocean entries.

Last 24 hours of the TEB vent area: There was no incandescence from the TEB or rootless shields overnight. There was a breakout on the Kalalua flow west of Kalalua Cone that was indirectly visible to the HAVO eruption crew at the coast starting around 4:30 pm. Seismic tremor levels have been slowly increasing over the past week, but the levels remained at low values; the levels dropped to their pre-increase level starting at 10:35 pm.

Last 24 hours at Pu`u `O`o: Diffuse incandescence was observed again by webcam overnight in the crater. The tiltmeter recorded longer-term deflation from a source to the southeast. GPS receivers on opposite sides of the crater continued to record contraction at a rate averaging 2 cm/month over the past 3 months. Seismic tremor levels were slightly elevated but low values. The SO2 emission rate was about 2,900 tonnes/day on March 21.

Last 24 hours at Kilauea summit: There were no new explosions but there was eruption of small incandescent particles overnight that appeared to be waning this morning; some particles may have made it to the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater and will be sought out this morning to determine whether they are lava blobs or old rock fragments similar to the 3/19 deposits. Seismic tremor levels continued to be elevated above their already high pre-explosion levels with a small decrease starting at 9:30 pm. The summit tiltmeter network recorded continued weak deflation from a source in the southwest caldera although the shorter-term tilt does not point to a single source. One earthquake was located beneath the summit area and two just west of the southwest rift zone.

The sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate from the summit continued to be elevated and was about 1,200 tonnes/day on Mar. 21, compared to a background rate of between 150-200 tonnes/day.

Sulfur dioxide concentrations were again below detection limits at Jaggar museum and Kilauea Visitors Center. Trade (northeasterly) winds kept gas emissions in the south caldera where SO2 concentrations were up to 40 ppm in areas downwind of Halema`uma`u crater along Crater Rim Drive (mostly between Halema`uma`u parking lot and the southwest rift zone pullout during trade winds) and up to 140 ppm near the Halema`uma`u overlook close to the new vent.

Update: March 24 12:27 EDT:
Kilauea Information Release:

Kilauea Information Release issued Mar 24, 2008 16:25 HST Volcanic-Alert Level WATCH - Aviation Color Code ORANGE
Halema`uma`u gas plume becomes ash-laden

There is now continuous emission of ash from the new gas vent in Halema`uma`u Crater, turning the formerly white cloud of fume a dusty-brown color. The top of the ash plume, which is currently being blown to the southwest of the Crater, reaches 0.5 to 1.0 mile above ground level. Hawai`i aviation agencies have been notified of the potential hazard to aircraft.

Last night, small incandescent particles were observed erupting from the vent below the Halema`uma`u Overlook. A few particles were ejected with sufficient velocity to be deposited on the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. This morning, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists reported finding Pele’s hair, Pele’s tears, and spatter in the overlook area, indicating that particles ejected overnight included molten lava-the first erupted from the new vent, which is now 30-35 m (100 ft) wide. The largest fragments of spatter, or blobs of molten rock, found on the crater rim are 10 cm (4 inches) in size.

The amount of lava erupted from the vent last night was small, but it represents the first lava erupted from anywhere in Halema`uma`u since 1982. Previous eruptions included lava flowing into the crater from fissure eruptions on its southwest rim in 1974 and 1971 and an 8 month eruption in Halema`uma`u in 1967-1968 that created a lake of lava that covered the entire crater floor.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor the activity. Photos, text updates, a new Halema`uma`u Crater webcam, and details about the Kilauea 1924 explosive eruption can be found at the HVO website hvo.wr.usgs.gov.