1. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), founded in 1912.

2. HVO sits on the rim of Kīlauea caldera, inside of which is located Halema‘uma‘u Crater. A new eruptive vent formed in that crater in March 2008, less than 2 km from HVO, and has been a persistent source of steam, gas, and ash ever since that time.

3. At the Monday Morning Meeting at HVO, staff members present data from deformation, seismic, gas geochemistry, and geologic observations, interpret the combined data, and discuss potential future activity based on those interpretations. Here, HVO seismologist David Wilson presents “Did you Feel It” information about a felt earthquake just south of Oahu (Honolulu). HVO Scientist-in-Charge Jim Kauahikaua is seated on the stool at the front of the room.

4. KOHALA MAUNA KEA HUALĀLAI KĪLAUEA MAUNA LOA Pu`u `Ō`ō
ANIMATED. Magma rises along the Hawaiian hot spot and accumulates beneath the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. From that point, magma travels beneath the ground along the east rift zone to Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, where it erupts to the surface and travsl towards the ocean, often within lava tubes.

5. A high lava fountain at Pu’u ’Ō’ō in 1984.
During the mid-1980s, the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone formed by repeated episodes of high lava fountaining.

6. ocean entry lava tube trace Pu’u ’Ō’ō cone Photo taken in 2006
From the late 1980s onward, activity at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and nearby eruptive vents was more effusive, building lava shields that partially buried the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. During these phases, lava flowed through tubes (marked by areas of persistent fuming) towards the coast, where it entered the ocean and created new land.
Pu’u ’Ō’ō cone
Photo taken in 2006

7. Lava flow coverage from eruptions that occurred during 1983-1986.

8. Lava flow coverage from eruptions that occurred during 1983-1992.

9. Lava flow coverage from eruptions that occurred during 1983-1997.

10. Lava flow coverage from eruptions that occurred during 1983-2007.

11. Lava flow coverage from eruptions that occurred during 1983-2009.