Update on volcanoes in Hawaii: Alert level raised as magma crumbles the surface

The alert level at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been raised as scientists report an increase in activity.

Although Kilauea is not erupting, earthquake activity at the summit has increased since June 2 and ground deformation is occurring, according to an update from the US Geological Survey. The activity indicates that magma is moving just below the surface, the USGS added.

“Seismicity and deformation continued to increase after 5:00 p.m. HST. At this time, it cannot be said with certainty whether this activity will result in an eruption – the activity may remain underground,” the agency said in Sunday’s update. “However, an eruption in the summit region of Kīlauea in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a possible outcome.”

“Therefore, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is raising the volcano alert level for ground-based hazards from ADVISORY to WATCH and the Aviation Color Code from YELLOW to ORANGE,” it said. “HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of increasing activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a new Volcano Activity Alert will be issued.”

Due to increased activity, the nearby Devastation Trail parking lot and the Keanakakoi area are closed until further notice, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Service said.

Kilauea Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, so this type of activity is not uncommon. It has erupted frequently since 1983, with most eruptions remaining confined to the crater and therefore not usually posing a threat to surrounding communities.

However, the volcano is still considered dangerous because of explosive eruptions in the past.

Between May and August 2018, a series of explosive eruptions spewed large lava flows throughout the nearby Puna district. The eruptions destroyed more than 700 homes and caused tens of thousands of earthquakes. The summit area of ​​the national park was also drastically altered.

Scientists continue to keep a close eye on the volcano and recently found an explanation for Kilauea’s explosive eruptions.

In one study, researchers from the USGS and other institutions compared Kilauea’s eruptions to a “stomp rocket” toy, which works by stepping on a gas-filled chamber to propel a rocket into the air.

Scientists found that the eruptions that began in May 2018 were all similar. They all involved a sudden collapse of the magma reservoir, causing the pressure of the gas trapped in the chamber to rise significantly. The rapid increase in pressure led to an explosive eruption.

Do you have a tip for a science story that Newsweek should report? Do you have a question about Kilauea? Let us know at [email protected].