Previous Pu`u `O`o Eruption Updates from Kilauea Volcano
(episode 53)

This page contains update information from Episode 53 of the Pu`u `O`o eruption of Kilauea Volcano. Please see the eruption update page for more recent activity at Kilauea, including the second half of Episode 55

    Kilauea's magma plumbing system received a pulse of additional magma today, causing an intrusion of magma from the shallow reservoir under Kilauea (3-6 km beneath its summit) to within 0.5 km of the surface. The summit area was rocked by numerous earthquakes causing rock falls. Everyone expected a new vent to form at the summit. The National Park Service evacuated the summit area as a precaution, but the vent did not appear. Instead, the new pulse of magma caused the lava lake in the throat of the Pu`u `O`o cone (almost 20 km away) to rise over 30 m forcing more magma through the lava tubes that are fed from it. This temporarily caused the skylights in the tubes to erupt like artisan wells and produce a surface flow that headed towards the ocean. This surge of additional magma was short-lived and the volcano returned to its original state by the end of the day. It was a great show while it lasted.
    The cause of the magma surge is thought to be related to the clearing of a partial blockage in the volcano's magma plumbing system. It demonstrates that the mantle is continuing to supply Kilauea with a steady and abundant supply of magma. Thus, there is no end in sight for the current Pu`u `O`o eruption, which celebrated its 13th birthday last month.

Sources used for this summary:

1. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff
2. TV photography
3. Honolulu Advertiser newspaper

This page created and maintained by Ken Rubin©, krubin@soest.hawaii.edu
Other credits for this web site.

Last page update on 23 Mar 1998