Volcano Erupting - Check for Updates

[NYCruiser243]

Here is the latest update from the USGS HVO Sunday, May 13 8:25 AM HST:

 

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE

U.S. Geological Survey

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 8:25 AM HST (Sunday, May 13, 2018, 18:25 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

 

Summary:

 

LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE

Eruption of lava continues along Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. A new outbreak early this morning just over a half mile northeast of the end of Hinalo St. and about one half mile south of highway 132 has been confirmed. Hawaii County Civil Defense reports the outbreak is on Halekamahina Loop Road. Aerial observations of this new fissure indicate it is at least several hundreds yards long and producing spatter rising many tens of feet into the air. A slow-moving lava flow is moving away from the vent.

 

Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the area remain likely.

 

Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

 

KILAUEA SUMMIT

Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences.

 

Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

 

REMARKS

 

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity.

 

Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. https://vog.ivhhn.org/

 

Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.

 

MORE INFORMATION

 

Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862

 

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

 

Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

 

Photos/Video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

 

Lava Flow Maps: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

 

Definitions of terms used in update: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf

 

Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf

 

Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf

 

Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list):

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/

 

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php

https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

askHVO@usgs.gov

 

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.

[Desert Cruizers]

Astro Flyer, thank you, hopefully by next March things will have settled down and we can still go there. My husband & I did that tour off the 12 day Hawaii back to Seattle in 2014 and would like our daughter to visit it if possible. She & I will be cruising together from now on or I go solo if she is unable to go. :)

[Astro Flyer]

Astro Flyer, thank you, hopefully by next March things will have settled down and we can still go there. My husband & I did that tour off the 12 day Hawaii back to Seattle in 2014 and would like our daughter to visit it if possible. She & I will be cruising together from now on or I go solo if she is unable to go. :)

 

You’re welcome & happy to help. :)

 

They’ve compared this eruption to the 1955 one in the same area which lasted several months so hopefully it’ll end before your visit.

 

I haven’t heard the local news mention Lava Tree State Park being in immediate danger but being so close it’s a possibility. It’s surprising that the latest fissures bypassed the geothermal facility which has been a concern because of the chemicals there.

 

We took our kids to the Lava Tree State Park & black sand beach in addition to Queen’s Bath & only the park remains. Thankfully they moved the Star of the Sea Painted Church built in 1928 to Kaimu during the 1990 Kalapana eruption.

[Desert Cruizers]

Our family was suppose to be on the Oasis last month, but DH had a heart attack near the end of our TA this past Sept so now it is just myself, but we got the daughter hooked on cruising during our 2014 Australia trip so now she can join me on cruises. :) The Oasis sailings would have been his last cruises so had wanted to have him end on one of the largest ships and he was so looking forward to being on the Oasis. Friends and the daughter & I will have a toast to him during our 2019 Hawaii cruise.:)

[gerelmx]

AP

Hawaii, United States (May 13, 2018) .- A new fissure that emits steam and splashing lava forced Hawaiian officials to request more evacuations on Sunday as residents prepare for an expected eruption of Kilauea volcano.

 

The Hawaiian County Civil Defense issued an alert that a crack number 18 was discovered along a road west of a large highway on the Big Island.

Residents on that road were told to evacuate, and two nearby community centers served as shelters for people and pets.

 

Noises of clicking, popping and splashing were heard from the crack at a distance of up to 1,400 meters.

 

The fissures, the deformation of the terrain and the abundant volcanic gases indicate that the eruptions on the eastern flank of Kilauea are likely to continue.

 

The last opening occurred the morning after two other cracks opened on Saturday. Most lava outbreaks have occurred in and around the Leilani Estates neighborhood, where molten rock has burst into the ground, destroying more than two dozen homes and resulting in evacuation orders for nearly 2,000 people.

 

The United States Geological Survey reported that crack 17, which opened on Saturday night, was splashing, but no flow had formed. The sixteenth fissure had spilled lava in an open field hours before.

 

The Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported on open fissures just east of the Puna Geothermal Venture energy conversion plant, where steam and hot liquid rise through underground wells and steam feeds a turbine generator to produce electricity.

 

The workers of the plant eliminated last week, as a precautionary measure, 50 thousand gallons of a flammable gas stored on the site.

 

Geologists warn that the Kilauea summit could have an explosive eruption of steam that would throw rocks and ashes skyward.

[BigIslandCruiser]

Being on the Big Island about 8 miles from the eruption it seems the news media really blows this out of proportion. Only a small area of the Big Island of Hawaii is affected by the lava flows. The reason Leilani Estates got hit so hard is they built it right on top of the East Rift Zone an area lava travels underground so that is where it came up at. Hawaii Civil defense only allows residents in that area. The amount of land that is affected is about 1% or less of the land area on the Big Island.

Hilo is 20 miles away and Kona 100 miles away. So both are safe to visit.

The Volcano National Park is 30 miles away from Hilo and this is the area that is closed currently until it is considered safe. So if the Volcano Park is closed on your visit you can visit other locations in Hilo and Kona.

As far as the gases they have been coming out of the volcano for over 30 years from the Pu'u O'o vent and 10 years from the Kilauea Caldera. The location has just moved from Pu'u O'o to the East Rift Zone. So not much has changed on the island in that regard.

Hope that helps clarify things for now.

Gil

[OCruisers]

From reports on TV this morning .... things seem to be getting worse. :(

[NYCruiser243]

BigIslandCruiser,

 

Thanks for putting things in perspective. Folks don’t realize how large the Big Island is. ANd the ones heading for Oahu, Maui or Kauai just don’t understand how far the islands are apart.:cool:

[NYCruiser243]

Here is the latest update from teh USGS HVO Monday, May 14 8:36 AM HST:

 

 

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE

U.S. Geological Survey

Monday, May 14, 2018, 8:36 AM HST (Monday, May 14, 2018, 18:36 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

 

Summary:

 

LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE

 

Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts)

 

This morning, activity is dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter more than 100 feet into the air, and an advancing lava flow from fissure 17 at the northeast end of the fissure system. As of 630 am the fissure 17 flow had traveled just under a mile roughly east-southeast parallel to the rift zone. It is turning slightly south and at this time is about one half mile south of Highway 132.

 

Fissure 18 that became active late yesterday is weakly active.

 

A fissure 19 has been spotted very near fissure 15 as of about 8 am just northeast of Pohoiki Road and north of Hinalo Street at the east end of Lanipuna Gardens. It is producing a sluggish lava flow.

 

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Yesterday with the onset of activity at fissure 17, powerful steam jets have occurred intermittently near the west end of the fissure. These jets may be responsible for some of the loud sounds reported by residents and emergency workers.

 

For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

 

HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

 

This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area.

 

The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly.

 

Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

 

KILAUEA SUMMIT

Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. Last night several strong earthquakes shook HVO and the surrounding area.

 

This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences.

 

Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

 

REMARKS

 

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity.

 

Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. https://vog.ivhhn.org/

 

Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.

 

MORE INFORMATION

 

Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862

 

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

 

Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

 

Photos/Video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

 

Lava Flow Maps: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

 

Definitions of terms used in update: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf

 

Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf

 

Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf

 

Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list):

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/

 

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php

https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

askHVO@usgs.gov

 

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.

[Desert Cruizers]

Our visit to the Islands via a cruise is still 11 months away, so a lot can change in that time. Our very first visit to the big island we were able to drive the crater rim road but our visit in 2008 we couldn't. Fast forward to 2014 we didn't go to the Volcano National Park but our daughter and husband Sister did while we visited the Lava Tree Natl Monument and were very interested in that area as we had never been there. NYCruiser243 I find your information very imformative. 0.5 mile from 132 puts that very close to the LT Monument am I correct.

[PA Kathy]

Being on the Big Island about 8 miles from the eruption it seems the news media really blows this out of proportion. Only a small area of the Big Island of Hawaii is affected by the lava flows. The reason Leilani Estates got hit so hard is they built it right on top of the East Rift Zone an area lava travels underground so that is where it came up at. Hawaii Civil defense only allows residents in that area. The amount of land that is affected is about 1% or less of the land area on the Big Island.

Hilo is 20 miles away and Kona 100 miles away. So both are safe to visit.

The Volcano National Park is 30 miles away from Hilo and this is the area that is closed currently until it is considered safe. So if the Volcano Park is closed on your visit you can visit other locations in Hilo and Kona.

As far as the gases they have been coming out of the volcano for over 30 years from the Pu'u O'o vent and 10 years from the Kilauea Caldera. The location has just moved from Pu'u O'o to the East Rift Zone. So not much has changed on the island in that regard.

Hope that helps clarify things for now.

Gil

Thanks for the update. We were concerned as our cruise leaves 5/26/18.

[NYCruiser243]

PA Kathy, What ship are you sailing on? NCL’s PoA skipped Hilo last week. They had a sea day instead. The ship did stop at Kona. According to a friend they will not be stopping at Hilo or Kona this week. They are adding another day on Maui in Lahaina plus a sea day instead.

The sad part is the folks who run tours, have small shops, restaurants, stalls at the farmers market etc. are all losing money because of the ship not stopping. :( There are so many other places to visit besides HVNP. It is a shame that passenges from the ship can’t visit other places on the island.

When we were on the PoA in October, 2016 we wanted to visit the Iao Valley but it was closed for 5-6 months because of damage from a hurricane the previous summer. Yes we were disappointed but had a wonderful time on another tour.

Edited May 15, 2018 by NYCruiser243

[PA Kathy]

We will be on PoA. When I called NCL last evening, they mentioned that they will not be stopping at Hilo this week either.

 

Thanks for your response!

Kathy

[NYCruiser243]

PA Kathy,

Yes, NCL posted a notice about the change in itinerary. I am certain that they will see to it that you have a good time. Be sure not to miss the programs that are about Hawaiian culture including lei making!

That being said the Big Island is big! Most of the island is not affected by the lava. The closure of HVNP is disappointing but necessary for safety. There is so much more to see and do than just the volcano! We visited a coffee plantation, the macadamia nut factory, an orchid farm, Rainbow Falls on the same day as visiting HVNP. The second day we visited the Captain Cook Monument, the farmers market, Pu’honua O Honaunau National Historical Park (aka the place of refuge), a bee farm and more.

All of these places plus many more are hurting because of the ship not visiting. Many small local businesses depend on those visits for their livelihood.

Edited May 15, 2018 by NYCruiser243
spelling error.

[Desert Cruizers]

It is a shame earlier cruises have stopped going into Hilo but they are concerned with safety for their passengers. Since we are 10 months out, things could change and we will make Hilo, other wise I do hope they would go to Kona as they don't have it on the March sailing for the Emerald or longer stay in Maui,

[jlat]

PA Kathy,

Yes, NCL posted a notice about the change in itinerary. I am certain that they will see to it that you have a good time. Be sure not to miss the programs that are about Hawaiian culture including lei making!

That being said the Big Island is big! Most of the island is not affected by the lava. The closure of HVNP is disappointing but necessary for safety. There is so much more to see and do than just the volcano! We visited a coffee plantation, the macadamia nut factory, an orchid farm, Rainbow Falls on the same day as visiting HVNP. The second day we visited the Captain Cook Monument, the farmers market, Pu’honua O Honaunau National Historical Park (aka the place of refuge), a bee farm and more.

All of these places plus many more are hurting because of the ship not visiting. Many small local businesses depend on those visits for their livelihood.

 

Could you share that post? We are on the POA June 14th and have heard nothing from NCL. I just logged into the website and do not see anything posted there either. Seems like they could do a better job of keeping customers informed.

[CruisinChills]

Could you share that post? We are on the POA June 14th and have heard nothing from NCL. I just logged into the website and do not see anything posted there either. Seems like they could do a better job of keeping customers informed.

 

 

 

It seems to me as though this will be a week-by-week decision at this point. We are on PoA 6/23 and I fully expect to not know if we will make Hilo or Kona until we are already onboard. I’m sure that NCL will make every effort to maintain the original itinerary unless conditions dictate otherwise.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NYCruiser243]

Jlat, Sorry, I can not locate the original post about the itinerary changs for this week.

I believe that it was on Facebook and was from a press release that was in local (Hawaiian) newspapers.

)I searched all the possible FB posts on groups that I follow.)

Edited May 16, 2018 by NYCruiser243
spelling

[NYCruiser243]

I hope that this is the post that I was talking about. It is on a thread on this board -Ports Of Call>Hawaii entitled “Eruption news?”

(https://boards.cruisecritic.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=56074157

[NYCruiser243]

Cruisin Chills:

Yes this is what all the cruise lines did last fall after the 2 hurricanes devastated the islands in the Caribbean (St. Thomas, St, Croix, Puerto Rico, etc.). They notified passengers week by week of the itinerary changes. The same thing happened to us in 2004 (the year that 5 hurricanes hit Florida) when we sailed on the Disney Magic. The cruise 2 weeks before ours was extended (as were all the ships in the Caribbean) because there were no ports open in Florida due to several storms. The next cruise was shortened to get the ship back on schedule. When we checked in we were given a notice that said our ‘Western” itinerary was being changed to an ‘Eastern” due to a storm heading to the Western Caribbean. We were now heading to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. When we returned to the ship after our day in Puerto Rico we received another notice that we were now heading to Nassau because another storm was heading toward St. Thomas!

And I had friends on the PoA in August, 2016 who were rerouted because of a hurricane.

[gerelmx]

Notimex

United States (May 15, 2018) .- After determining a dangerous increase in activity at the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) decided to warn of an "imminent" and powerful eruption that would affect the surrounding area. zone both by land and by air.

 

According to the report, the eruption of ash from the Halemaumau crater of Kilauea volcano increased its intensity, so experts warn that the activity could become more explosive at any time.

 

Because of the movements of lava, fires, the emission of toxic gases and acid rains, the local population has been forced to leave their homes and move to safer places in the southwest of the island.

 

The Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported that a new fissure opened in the Lanipuna Gardens subdivision, northeast of fissure 19, and that lava flow from Fissure 17 continues to move slowly towards the ocean.

 

Due to increased volcanic activity, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is working to reopen Keaau-Pahoa Highway (Highway 130) from Malama Street to Kamaili Road, only for local traffic.

 

The unit recommended motorists drive with caution, because metal plates were placed over the cracks in the road. HDOT and county staff will be stationed along the route to ensure the road is safe for local traffic.

 

In turn, the Health Department reported that sulfur dioxide gas emissions from fissures are especially dangerous for the elderly, children, babies and people with respiratory problems. The gas can be transported with the wind or cover an area without wind.

 

The Kilauea volcano erupted earlier this month after a series of strong earthquakes. Their lava ejections reach up to 70 meters high and have forced the evacuation of around two thousand people, because it threatens the integrity of dozens of buildings.

[wharf rat]

120 earthquakes in the last 24 hours. Crater spewing out 2 foot wide rocks. Ash spewing 10,000 ft into the air. More cracks opening on roads and in the forests. Air quality is bad... Of course planes will not fly thru this ash. What masks are available in Honolulu are being shipped to the big island. I have several friends there and they are hanging in for now. With my asthma and COPD I would be long gone. And no, if I was the captain of a cruise ship I would not stop at the big island. It is what it is.....

[gerelmx]

The Sea Princess is heading to Kona expecting to arrive in 1 hour

[NYCruiser243]

Just getting notices about explosive eruption at Kilauea this morning. :eek:

Stay safe!

Edited May 17, 2018 by NYCruiser243
Typo

[ChrisB123]

Just getting notices about explosive eruption at Kilauea this morning. :eek:

Stay safe!

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38176893/itchy-eyes-sore-throats-and-headaches-kau-residents-react-to-recent-ashfall