Katherine Mulliken | Geology Reports

USGS2019

The 2018 rift eruption and summit collapse of Kilauea Volcano

In 2018, Kīlauea Volcano experienced its largest lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption and caldera collapse in at least 200 years. After collapse of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent on 30 April, magma propagated downrift. Eruptive fissures opened in the LERZ on 3 May, eventually extending ~6.8 km. A 4 May earthquake (M6.9) produced ~5 m of fault slip. Lava erupted at rates exceeding 100 m3/s, eventually covering 35.5 km2. The summit magma system partially drained, producing minor explosions and near-daily collapses releasing energy equivalent to M4.7-M5.4 earthquakes. Activity declined rapidly on 4 August. Summit collapse and lava flow volume estimates are roughly equivalent--about 0.8 km3. Careful historical observation and monitoring of Kīlauea enabled successful forecasting of hazardous events.

Hawaii↗

USGS2019

Volcanic hazards in Alaska’s National Parks

There are over 100 volcanoes in Alaska, 54 of which are considered historically active. A historically active volcano is one that fits one of the following criteria: a documented or strongly suspected eruption since the year 1700, persistent fumaroles near boiling point, significant deformation with a volcanic cause, or an earthquake swarm with a volcanic cause (Cameron and Schaefer, 2016). Alaska’s National Parks, Preserves, and Monuments contain a total of 14 historically active volcanoes (Fig. 1). There are numerous other volcanoes within Alaska’s National Parks, Preserves, and Monuments that are not considered historically active but which could erupt at some point in the future. In the past 100 years, there have been seven confirmed eruptions from historically active volcanoes within Alaska’s National Parks, Preserves, and Monuments. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors and conducts research on volcanoes in Alaska in order to better understand volcanic processes and determine the likelihood of future volcanic hazards, with a primary goal of informing the public and local, state, and federal entities about volcanic hazards and impending volcanic activity. Volcanic hazards in Alaska’s National Parks, Preserves, and Monuments include both proximal hazards (within 30 km or 19 mi of the vent) and distal hazards that are capable of impacting areas at the regional, national, or international scale.

Alaska↗