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| Chinese New Year was celebrated this week at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It's the Year of the Rabbit. Photo by Michelle Buck |
CHINESE NEW YEAR was celebrated throughout January, with most festivities to wrap up Feb. 4 with a Lantern Celebration and family and friend reunions in Chinese communities. The Year of the Rabbit runs from Jan. 22, 2022 into Feb. 9, 2024, the next Chinese New Year's Eve.
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| PreK students parade for Year of the Rabbit at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. |
Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be ingenious, witty, quick-minded and vigilant. They are also known to be gentle, quiet, elegant, and alert as well as quick, skillful, kind, patient, and very responsible.
At Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences, students recently learned about Chinese culture by reading books, watching videos and decorating the classroom, as well as the parading around the campus.
KILAUEA GETS WEIGHED IN is the title of this week's Volcano Watch, written by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates: Measurements of gravity can be used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. Microgravity surveys can measure changes in the subsurface mass. At Kīlauea, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory performs routine microgravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity.
The Kīlauea microgravity monitoring network is comprised of about 50 benchmarks. Annual microgravity surveys are crucial in confirming whether ongoing uplift or subsidence is caused by magma intrusion or withdrawal. HVO conducts these surveys using small, shoebox-sized instruments called relative gravimeters that can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day.
Measurements of gravity can be used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. Microgravity surveys can measure changes in the subsurface mass. At Kīlauea, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory performs routine microgravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. The Kīlauea microgravity monitoring network is comprised of about 50 benchmarks. Annual microgravity surveys are crucial in confirming whether ongoing uplift or subsidence is caused by magma intrusion or withdrawal. HVO conducts these surveys using small, shoebox-sized instruments called relative gravimeters that can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day.
A single gravity measurement consists of leveling a small baseplate (less than 1 foot or 30 cm diameter and 3 inches or 8 cm tall) on the ground, placing the gravimeter on the baseplate, and making a five-minute measurement. Along with gravity, high-precision positions are also collected using GPS.
Gravimeters are extremely susceptible to vibration, so hard and stable surfaces, like solid rock outcroppings, are required to take a measurement. The measurements are non-invasive and do not disturb the ground.
In addition to tracking changes over time, gravity surveys can be used to map the density characteristics of the ground beneath the surface. These “Bouguer” surveys, named after an 18th-century French geophysicist, measure the gravity at hundreds to thousands of locations at a single point in time and do not need the repeatable location benchmarking or precision of microgravity surveys.
Bouguer surveys use the same relative gravimeters that are used for microgravity surveys, but measurements are tied to a reference “base station,” where the actual value of gravity has been
determined absolutely.
Measurements of gravity can be used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. Microgravity surveys can measure changes in the subsurface mass. At Kīlauea, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory performs routine microgravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. The Kīlauea microgravity monitoring network is comprised of about 50 benchmarks. Annual microgravity surveys are crucial in confirming whether ongoing uplift or subsidence is caused by magma intrusion or withdrawal. HVO conducts these surveys using small, shoebox-sized instruments called relative gravimeters that can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day.
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| Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer Claire Ruggles measures variations in the strength of gravity (grey box) and precise location (GPS on antenna) at the summit of Kīlauea. She is a Ph.D. candidate at University of Wisconsin -Madison. USGS photograph by HVO geophysicist A. Flinders |
A single gravity measurement consists of leveling a small baseplate (less than 1 foot or 30 cm diameter and 3 inches or 8 cm tall) on the ground, placing the gravimeter on the baseplate, and making a five-minute measurement. Along with gravity, high-precision positions are also collected using GPS.
Gravimeters are extremely susceptible to vibration, so hard and stable surfaces, like solid rock outcroppings, are required to take a measurement. The measurements are non-invasive and do not disturb the ground.
In addition to tracking changes over time, gravity surveys can be used to map the density characteristics of the ground beneath the surface. These “Bouguer” surveys, named after an 18th-century French geophysicist, measure the gravity at hundreds to thousands of locations at a single point in time and do not need the repeatable location benchmarking or precision of microgravity surveys.
Bouguer surveys use the same relative gravimeters that are used for microgravity surveys, but measurements are tied to a reference “base station,” where the actual value of gravity has been
determined absolutely.
While both microgravity and Bouguer surveys are used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano, microgravity surveys are used to model changes in these parameters, whereas Bouguer surveys can reveal the overall characteristics of the materials at depth. Two-and three-dimensional Bouguer models can provide insights into the geologic structure of volcanoes including identifying magma reservoirs, intrusions, landslide and collapse piles, and unexposed faults. At Kīlauea, they’ve also been used to define likely areas of hydrothermal fluid circulation. Together, microgravity and Bouguer data can see not only subsurface structure, but also changes within that structure.
Bouguer surveys have been a routine tool at Kīlauea for more than seven decades, with the two most recent summit surveys performed in 2009 and 2000. Over the month of January, a three-person team comprised of HVO geophysicist Ashton Flinders, University of Wisconsin Madison PhD candidate Claire Ruggles, and UW student Sophia Thompson measured gravity at over 400 locations around Kīlauea’s summit. Their Bouguer gravity survey will be the first to address significant large-scale changes associated with the 2018 caldera collapse. Seismic velocity and density are fundamentally related and results from this gravity survey will be used to help refine the model developed from the anticipated summer 2023 Kīlauea summit seismic study. If you see three orange-shirted scientists hiking around Kīlauea summit, carrying a shoebox-sized case and a long pole with a GPS antenna on the top, that’s us! Feel free to stop and say “aloha,” we love to talk about what we’re doing and why.
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To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES: Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is at WATCH. Kīlauea updates are issued daily. Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues. Activity is concentrated in a large lava lake in the eastern half of the crater, as well as a smaller lake to the west, in the basin of the 2021–2022 lava lake. Summit tilt has shown several deflation/inflation trends over the past week. Summit earthquake activity remains low and eruptive tremor (a signal associated with fluid movement) is present. A sulfur dioxide emission rate of 3,000 tonnes per day was measured on January 20. For Kīlauea monitoring data, see https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/past-week-monitoring-data-kilauea.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at ADVISORY. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly on Thursdays. Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Seismicity remains low.
Deformation rates show inflation somewhat above background levels, but this is not uncommon following eruptions. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates are at background levels. For Mauna Loa monitoring data, see: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/monitoring-data.
There were four earthquakes with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.6 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) ESE of Pāhala at 30 km (18 mi) depth on Jan. 24 at 10:35 p.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 17 km (10 mi) ESE of Nāʻālehu at 35 km (21 mi) depth on Jan. 23 at 11:58 p.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 16 km (9 mi) E of Nāʻālehu at 35 km (22 mi) depth on Jan. 21 at 10:27 p.m. HST, and a M3.0 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) E of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Jan. 20 at 12:32 a.m. HST.
HVO continues to closely monitor the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea, and Mauna Loa.
MOST MILES WALKED IN THE KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK has earned Yuko White the 2022 Kūkini Challenge award. She recorded 245.6 miles this past year and probably walked twice that if she counted the miles her dogs traveled with her.
Non-profit partner Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, rangers presented Yuko with a Kahuku logo t-shirt designed by Dietrich Varez and Bark Ranger bandanas for her faithful canines.
Another Kahuku regular, Sylvia Pena again earned the “Most Miles Walked” title for the fourth and final quarter of 2022. Rangers presented Sylvia with a red thermal Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park flask to help keep her hydrated on the trails at Kahuku.
A statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes says, "We congratulate both of these wonderful wahine as Kahuku Kūkini Challenge winners! Even though the challenge is pau (over) we invite everyone to take a hike. Kahuku is peaceful and serene with no crowds. One of eight beautiful trails is sure to match your abilities and goals. Kahuku is open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and entrance is free!" For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku.htm.
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| Yuko White walked the most miles in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, earning her the 2022 Kūkini Challenge award. Photo from NPS |
Deformation rates show inflation somewhat above background levels, but this is not uncommon following eruptions. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates are at background levels. For Mauna Loa monitoring data, see: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/monitoring-data.
There were four earthquakes with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.6 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) ESE of Pāhala at 30 km (18 mi) depth on Jan. 24 at 10:35 p.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 17 km (10 mi) ESE of Nāʻālehu at 35 km (21 mi) depth on Jan. 23 at 11:58 p.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 16 km (9 mi) E of Nāʻālehu at 35 km (22 mi) depth on Jan. 21 at 10:27 p.m. HST, and a M3.0 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) E of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Jan. 20 at 12:32 a.m. HST.
HVO continues to closely monitor the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea, and Mauna Loa.
Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
Non-profit partner Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, rangers presented Yuko with a Kahuku logo t-shirt designed by Dietrich Varez and Bark Ranger bandanas for her faithful canines.
Another Kahuku regular, Sylvia Pena again earned the “Most Miles Walked” title for the fourth and final quarter of 2022. Rangers presented Sylvia with a red thermal Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park flask to help keep her hydrated on the trails at Kahuku.
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| Sylvia Pena again earned the Most Miles Walked title for the fourth and final quarter of 2022. NPS photo |
A statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes says, "We congratulate both of these wonderful wahine as Kahuku Kūkini Challenge winners! Even though the challenge is pau (over) we invite everyone to take a hike. Kahuku is peaceful and serene with no crowds. One of eight beautiful trails is sure to match your abilities and goals. Kahuku is open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and entrance is free!" For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku.htm.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.
OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.
Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.
OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.
Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.