Kīlauea Erupts with Minimal Threat to Big Island Communities

Kīlauea volcano greeted the early morning darkness on Monday with a slow-bubbling eruption that, so far, has posed no threat to communities on the Big Island of Hawaii, officials said.

Hawaii's second-largest volcano, next to neighbor Mauna Loa, started erupting through four fissures around 12:30 a.m. in an area 2.5 miles southwest of its caldera, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). By Monday afternoon, only one of the fissures, slightly more than a half-mile long, remained active, the agency reported.

The USGS and the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency downgraded the Big Island's volcano threat level from warning to watch, indicating an eruption with limited hazards is underway. The eruption occurred within a zone surrounding the caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which has been closed since early 2008 due to safety concerns from sulfur dioxide emissions and an earlier eruption.

Minimal Threat to Communities

The eruption's location is remote enough that officials do not anticipate threats to Big Island communities. "This eruption could end without producing much lava," the USGS said in an update Monday afternoon. Federal geologists compared the current eruption to one in December 1974, which lasted six hours and had fissures with the same orientation.

The eruption took place under the watchful gaze of seismometers, GPS monitors, tiltmeters, infrasound gauges, gas detectors, and thermal and visual cameras maintained by the Hilo-based Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. "This was a real sneaky eruption," the observatory's scientist-in-charge, Ken Hon, told NBC affiliate KHON of Honolulu.

Seismic Activity and Gas Emissions

Despite the stealthy nature of the eruption, it was accompanied by significant seismic activity. The USGS reported more than 400 small earthquakes since the weekend, including a magnitude 4.0 earthquake at 7:07 p.m. on Sunday. Tiltmeter readings indicated significant ground deformation, and sulfur dioxide gas emission rates remained elevated.

The USGS noted that rates of seismicity and deformation increased greatly after 5:00 p.m. on June 2, prompting the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to raise Kīlauea’s alert level. Gas emissions are the primary concern, the agency said.

National Park Closures

The National Park Service has closed several areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park due to the eruption, including the Maunaiki Trail, a remote 7-mile path near Kīlauea, a stretch of Hilina Pali Road, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, Pepeiao Cabin, Kaʻaha Trail and campground, and the Kaʻū Desert Trail and pullout on Highway 11.

The park service has issued warnings to visitors to avoid these areas for their safety, as conditions can change rapidly around the active volcano.

Historical Context and Continuous Monitoring

A USGS primer on Hawaii volcanoes described Kīlauea as an overachiever, having erupted "almost continuously" from 1983 to 2018. The volcano last erupted in September, continuing its pattern of frequent activity.

Kīlauea is one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in the world. The eruption took place under the watchful gaze of seismometers, GPS monitors, tiltmeters, infrasound gauges, gas detectors, and thermal and visual cameras maintained by the Hilo-based Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

“This was a real sneaky eruption,” the observatory's scientist-in-charge, Ken Hon, told NBC affiliate KHON of Honolulu.

Future Implications

Kīlauea's eruptions provide valuable insights into volcanic activity and offer opportunities for scientific research. The data collected during these events help volcanologists better understand the mechanisms driving eruptions and improve predictive models for future activity.

The ongoing monitoring and preparedness efforts by federal and local agencies underscore the importance of vigilance in the face of natural hazards. As the eruption continues, these agencies remain committed to ensuring public safety and providing timely updates on any changes.

Conclusion

Kīlauea's latest eruption serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of Hawaii's volcanic landscape. While the current activity poses no immediate threat to communities, the situation underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and preparedness in the face of one of the world's most active volcanoes. The coordinated efforts of scientists, park officials, and emergency responders ensure that any potential risks are managed effectively, safeguarding both residents and visitors to the Big Island.