Volcano monitoring at the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Abstract

The island of Hawaii has one of the youngest landscapes on Earth, formed by frequent addition of new lava to its surface. Because Hawaiian are generally nonexplosive and easily accessible, the island has long attracted geologists interested in studying the extraordinary power of volcanic eruptions. The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), now nearing its 75th anniversary. has been in the forefront of volcanology since the 1900's. This issue of Earthquakes and volcanoes is devoted to the work of the Observatory and its role in studying the most recent eruptions of Hawaii's two currently active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa.