Day: May 4, 2018

May 4: USGS Scientist Explains First 24 Hours of Eruption

HVO Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal gave an EXCELLENT evening briefing on the first 24 hours of the Leilani Estates Eruption, explaining very clearly what was happening and why.

[Big Island Video News, overlaid with video from Mick Kalber flyover]

Powerpoint slide summary of TALK:
  • 6 fissures in first 24 hours — more are expected
  • No lava flows extending more than tens of yards so far — flows are expected
  • Magma intrusion into LERZ [Lower East Rift Zone] is continuing
  • High levels of sulfur dioxide gas [SO2] near fissures and downwind
  • More Magnitude 5+ earthquakes possible as volcano adjusts to intrusion
Excerpts from this Briefing:

Continue reading May 4: USGS Scientist Explains First 24 Hours of Eruption

May 4: First Full Day of Eruption, 6.9 Earthquake

Friday was a busy day. Starting before sunrise, more fissures erupted (USGS night video). Here’s a USGS video of Fissure 3: first cracks, then steam, and eventually lava spatter.

At 12:33PM. a magnitude 6.9 earthquake knocked out power to some customers, agitated the summit lava lake (video clip), sent up yet more ash from Pu’u O’o (video clip), and caused minor local sea level fluctuations (Good article: Honolulu Star-Advertiser). Also see informative HVO Volcano Watch photo essay.

Below: Interview of HVO geologist Jim Kauahikaua, prior to 6.9 quake. Big Island Video News added lava footage from David Corrigan, Mick Kalber, Ikaika Marzo.

Excerpts from above interview:

Continue reading May 4: First Full Day of Eruption, 6.9 Earthquake