Watching the volcano: magma pressure increase is likely the culprit in triggering the Kilauea eruption 2018

Understanding the direct causes of volcanic eruptions is necessary for timely warnings. Hence, the subject is of great importance to volcanologists, and every volcanic eruption provides an opportunity to add insight.

This week, many of us read news coverage of a recent study indicating that unusually heavy rains triggered the Kilwa outbreak in 2018. To address potential growing concern about this association, Volcano Watch this week makes comments based on the collective scientific understanding of HVO of Kilauea . Meanwhile, HVO and USGS colleagues are an official response to the publication in the scientific literature.

This hypothesis about torrential rains is thought-provoking, but does that mean that Hawaiians need to worry that torrential rains may cause an upcoming eruption?

Based on HVO’s analysis of data collected in 2018, as well as numerous studies of previous revolutions, our answer is that no, residents don’t need to worry about communication.

Our analysis indicates that the increased pressure in the magma system, which far exceeds the change in pressure that was designed due to rainwater leakage, was the main driver in the outbreak of the 2018 explosion.

For HVO, the smoking gun was found in the ground deformation log across a wide area of ​​Kilauea volcano which led to the explosion.

Specifically, inclination and GPS stations recorded a rapid rise to the surface of the Earth, the best explanation being the result of increased pressure within the tank plumbing system at Puʻu ʻOʻo, starting in March 2018. The rapid rise in the Kilauea summit started a few weeks later as the summit tank started to blow . This pressure was widespread and pushed lava lakes in Puʻu ʻOʻo and the summit to unusually high levels, causing the largest floods in Halemaʻumaʻu during a full 10-year period of lava lake.

These changes were so clear that HVO issued a volcano activity notice on April 17, 2018, indicating constant pressure, and a prediction that a fresh eruption could form in the East Rift region.

On April 30, there was a small outbreak of lava on the Puʻu ʻOʻo Pavilion. Then the magma drained from inside the shallow Puʻu ʻOʻo system, the Puʻu ʻOʻo crest collapsed, and the magma moved strongly in the heart of the rift zone towards Leilani Estates. This infiltration lasted for several days, driven by magmatic pressure inside the rift zone, and eventually broke out on May 3.

In short, our unanimous interpretation of HVO observational data is that magma pressure was the driving force behind the events of late April and early May 2018.

An external process, such as precipitation, is not required to explain this.

But what about the premise of precipitation? While the role of groundwater and rain infiltration of the volcano’s remains an exciting area of ​​research, we know that severe rain events have occurred several times in the recent past when no eruptions occurred, and the rains of Spring 2018 were not greater than many previous rainstorms.

Science requires one to ask a question, collect notes, develop a hypothesis and test the idea against available data and models. It is not uncommon for scientists to have conflicting ideas about interpreting data. Indeed, the strong debate about interpretations and validity of conclusions is a hallmark of the scientific process, and is an expected part of the scientific method and the search for truth.

The Kailua Eruption of 2018 was absolutely remarkable and sad, but unfortunately the reason seems to have followed the pattern of many previous eruptions – the magma pressure rise to a critical threshold, and the magma can no longer be contained. While the complexity of Kilauea’s magma system makes it difficult to predict the timing and magnitude of eruptions, understanding the signs and effects of variable magma pressure is the most promising way to anticipate future events.

Volcano activity updates

Kailua volcano does not explode. The USGS Volcano alert level remains at NORMAL (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html). Kilauea updates are released monthly. The Kilwa observation data during the past month showed no major changes in earthquakes, sulfur dioxide emission rates, or deformation.

The water lake at the bottom of Halimauma continued to slowly expand and deepen. For the latest lake depth information see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/Kilauea/summit_water_resources.html

Munna Loa does not break out. Its USGS volcano alert level remains at ADVISORY. This level of alert does not mean that an imminent eruption or that progression to an eruption from the current level of disturbances is certain. Mauna Loa updates are released weekly.

Last week, the HVO 78 seismographs recorded small earthquakes on the volcano’s top and upper elevation sides in Mona Loa. Most of these earthquakes occurred at shallow depths less than 8 kilometers (~ 5 miles) below ground level. The largest earthquake with a magnitude of 2.3 was below the southern caldera. GPS measurements show continued slow top inflation, consistent with the magma’s supply of shallow volcano storage system. Gas concentrations remain at the sulfur cone monitoring site in the southwestern Rift Zone. Fumarol temperatures as measured in both the sulfur cone and the summit did not change significantly.

For more information about the current observation of Mauna Loa volcano, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html

HVO continues to closely monitor Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Please visit the HVO website (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo) for previous “volcano viewing” articles, Kilauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information and more. Email questions to [email protected].

Volcano Watch (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/hvo_volcano_watch.html) is a weekly article and update of activities written by American Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and its affiliates.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos