Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, April 6, 2020

     Kanopy is free and unlimited for all library card holders through the end of April, with a possible extension. The online films include: classics, independent films, short films, and documentaries, plus a full section called Kanopy Kids with series offerings from PBS Kids, movies, and story book readings with pictures from the books shown.

     The library system website also offers free homework help for grades one through 12, including an encyclopedia; Gale Course classes in subjects from business to health to writing and more; instruction on prepping for college, GED, SAT, and ACT tests; and references for adults on personal finances, from college to home ownership, credit cards to retirement. The site offers suggested reading lists for all ages, a Hawaiian word dictionary, and more. See librarieshawaii.org.

No significant changes were observed in the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u Crater, at Kīlauea's summit. The water surface still has an orange-brown  hue in the center, with greenish areas on the east and west ends (top and bottom of photo) presumably indicating influx of groundwater. USGS photo by M. Patrick

KĪLAUEA VOLCANO IS NOT ERUPTING. The mauna's Alert Level is NORMAL, Aviation Color Code is GREEN. Monitoring data for March show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018.
     Rates of seismicity over the month were variable but within a range observed over the past year. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are low at the summit and are below detection limits at Puʻu ʻŌʻō and the lower East Rift Zone. The water pond at the bottom of Halemaʻumaʻu continues to slowly expand and deepen. As of March 19th, pond dimensions are approximately 107 meters (~351 feet) by 211 meters (~692 feet). As of April 1st, the current depth is approximately 32 meters or 105 feet.
     Over the past month, the summit tiltmeter recorded 10 deflation-inflation events, a number similar to January and February. Since March 2019, GPS stations and tiltmeters at the Kīlaueasummit have recorded deformation consistent with slow magma accumulation within the shallow portion of the Kīlauea summit magma system (1-2 km or approximately 1 mile below ground level). Gas measurements show continuing low levels of sulfur dioxide emission from the Halemaʻumaʻu area, consistent with no significant shallowing of magma. Some amount of sulfur dioxide is being dissolved into the summit lake and work continues to try and quantify this process. The pond was last sampled by UAS in January and additional, regular sampling with UAS is planned.
     Farther east, GPS stations and tiltmeters continue to show motions consistent with slowed refilling of the deep East Rift Zone magmatic reservoir in the broad region between Puʻu ʻŌʻō and Highway 130. The decrease in deformation rates at tilt station POO, observed in February, continued throughout March.

A closeup of the northern shoreline of the Kīlauea summit water pond shows how opaque the water is against the rocks. USGS photo by M. Patrick

     GPS station JOKA, and tilt station JKA, in the lower East Rift Zone, experienced an episode of deformation from March 14-26th with a different direction from the longer term trend. Data retrieved manually in the next few weeks may provide more insight. Monitoring data do not suggest any imminent change in volcanic hazard for this area. The south flank of Kīlauea continues to creep seaward at elevated rates following the May 4, 2018, M6.9 earthquake near Kalapana. HVO continues to carefully monitor all data streams along the Kīlauea East Rift Zone and south flank for important changes.
     Although not currently erupting, areas of persistently elevated ground temperatures and minor release of gases are still found in the vicinity of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone fissures. These include steam (water), very small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide. These conditions are expected to be long-term. Similar conditions following the 1955 eruption continued for years to decades.
     Hazards remain in the lower East Rift Zone eruption area and at the Kīlauea summit. Residents and visitors near the 2018 fissures, lava flows, and summit collapse area should heed Hawaii County Civil Defense and National Park warnings. Lava flows and features created by the 2018 eruption are primarily on private property and persons are asked to be respectful and not enter or park on private property.
     Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor geologic changes, seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions for any sign of increased activity at Kīlauea. HVO maintains visual surveillance of the volcano with web cameras and field visits. Additional messages and alert level changes will be issued as warranted by changing activity.
     Since June 25 2019, Kīlauea Volcano has been at NORMAL/GREEN. Kīlauearemains an active volcano, and it will erupt again. Although we expect clear signs prior to the next eruption, the time frame of warning may be short. Island of Hawaiʻi residents should be familiar with the long-term hazard map for Kīlauea Volcano, pubs.usgs.gov/mf/1992/2193/, and should stay informed about Kīlauea activity. See more at volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html.