SOEST volcanologists sought for expertise during Kilauea eruption
On April 30, 2018, along the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater began to collapse, followed by increased seismicity and ground motion down-rift. Small ground cracks opened near Leilani Estates on May 1-2. On May 3, eruptive surface fissures began inundating the community of Leilani Estates, marking the official onset of eruption by the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. On May 4, 2018, a Mw6.9 earthquake struck the south flank of Kīlauea. Activity at Halema‘uma‘u crater continues to include the nearly continuous emission of ash with intermittent stronger pulses that form occasional higher plumes 1-2 kilometers (3,000 to 6,000 feet) above the ground. On May 17, Halema‘uma‘u crater produced a volcanic cloud that reached as high as 30,000 ft.
As of May 23, there have been 23 fissure eruptions, with some still spattering lava. Elevated earthquake activity continues and volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the fissures. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station.
The U.S. Geological Survey/ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows.
Geology and Geophysics volcanologists and Atmospheric Science fog experts have been sought by local, national and international media to provide background and information about the 2018 Leilani Estates eruption on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Selected media appearances are listed below, with the most recent appearances listed first.
July 18 and 20, 2018
Mike Garcia in the Washington Post and newser.com
July 13, 2018
Ken Rubin on Hawaii News Now
June 20, 2018
Mike Garcia in AP News
June 14, 2018
Scott Rowland on KHON2
June 9, 2018
Scott Rowland in Reuters
June 8, 2018
Frank Sansone on KHON2
Ken Rubin on Hawaii News Now
June 6, 2018
Ken Rubin on Hawaii News Now
June 4, 2018
Ken Rubin on Hawaii News Now
May 30, 2018
Brett Walker (doctoral candidate) and Wendy Stovall (GG alumni) on National Public Radio (All Things Considered)
Lacey Holland on Hawaii Tribune Herald
May 29, 2018
Steven Businger on MSN and NBC
May 23, 2018
Ken Rubin on The Daily Beast
May 22, 2018
Ken Rubin on CNN
Ken Rubin on National Public Radio (Here and Now)
May 21, 2018
Ken Rubin on TRT World (Turkey)
May 20, 2018
Ken Rubin on CNN
Thomas Shea in Time Magazine
May 19, 2018
Thomas Shea in Washington Post (subscription required)
May 17, 2018
Julia Hammer on BBC TV
Mike Garcia in New York Times
Ken Rubin on Hawaii Public Radio
May 16, 2018
Ken Rubin on RTE (Irish national broadcaster)
Ken Rubin on KRON (San Francisco)
May 14, 2018
Scott Rowland on ThinkTech Hawaii
May 8, 2018
Scott Rowland in Reuters News
Mike Garcia in Reuters News
Ken Rubin on Hawaii Public Radio
Steven Businger on Hawaii News Now
May 7, 2018
Mike Garcia on PBS News Hour
May 5, 2018
Mike Garcia on PBS Miles O’Brien
Lacey Holland on KITV
May 4, 2018
Julia Hammer on KHON
Julia Hammer on KITV
Scott Rowland on KHON
May 3, 2018
Scott Rowland on KHON
Ken Rubin on CNN
Scott Rowland on CNN
Ken Rubin on ABC (Australia)