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| On Thursday, Jan. 16, the south fountain (left) during the ongoing Kīlauea eruption's fourth eruptive episode, had an average height of about 40 meters (131 feet). The north fountain (right) ranged in height between 50–60 meters (164–197 feet). Fountain heights slightly decreased from Wednesday's maximum measured fountain heights of 90–100 meters (295–328 feet). USGS photo by H. Winslow |
Like fortune tellers who peer into a crystal ball for insight, volcanologists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) peer into the tiny crystals contained in lava flows to learn about the magma's journey before it was erupted onto the surface.
When magma cools prior to eruption, crystals grow and develop chemical zones that record changes in the environment around them. Scientists study chemical differences in these zones, which can provide information on how hot the magma was (thermometry), how deep it was stored (barometry), what the compositional makeup of the magma was (geochemistry), and how long the magma was stored prior to an eruption (diffusion chronometry).
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| (A) Spatter cone samples from the Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption in and near Nāpau Crater from September 15–20, 2024. Crystals were collected from samples like this. (B) Back-scattered electron image of a plagioclase crystal from the September 2024 Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption. This crystal shows two distinct chemical zones from its core to rim. The core has a different composition from the rim of the crystal, representing a change in magmatic environment likely from the intrusion that triggered the eruption. (C) Back-scattered electron image of an olivine crystal from the Kīlauea Halema'uma'u Dec. 2024–Jan. 2025 eruption. This is an olivine grain that has typical Kīlauea summit eruption compositions. USGS images |
What is fascinating is that these micron-scale (0.00004 inches) changes in individual crystals can be used to derive understanding about volcanic systems as a whole. To give some context, a human hair is about 100 microns (0.004 inches) thick. We are looking at chemical changes in crystals on the scale of 1-5 microns (0.00004–0.0002 inches), and those very small changes tell us what was happening to the magma prior to it erupting at the surface.
In Hawai'i, the most common mineral we study is the green-colored olivine. We can use olivine as a "crystal clock" to determine the timing of magmatic events leading up to eruption which was discussed in detail in a previous Volcano Watch here.
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| Heather Winslow of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. |
Two other minerals that we observe in Hawaiian eruptions are pyroxene and plagioclase. While olivine is typically the first mineral to crystallize, pyroxene and plagioclase crystallize later and thrive in different magmatic environments at different temperatures and pressures.
An easy way to think about these crystals and how they record magmatic events is to envision yourself as a journalist outside of a sporting event, and you need to know what happened at the game by interviewing different spectators (crystals). Some spectators show up early and witness the entire event, some arrive late, some are seated close to the action, and some roamed the stadium and forgot certain events even happened. Different crystals are the different fans that are all observing the game (or magmatic event) with a different perspective.
This analogy originated out of observing the complexities and nuances in olivine alone, but it can be extended to apply to the variety of crystals in magmatic system as well. Thus, by studying the range of crystals, we get to learn about the magmatic system from a multitude of perspectives.
This method was applied to study the two most recent eruptions of Kīlauea, in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Geology Department. From Sept. 15-20, Kīlauea erupted in and near Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone. During the opening phase of this eruption, we collected molten and spatter samples that were rapidly cooled by submerging the samples in water or quenched in the air. This preserves the pre-eruptive chemistry.
From those samples, we analyzed bulk chemistry, which showed compositional differences compared to typical lavas erupted at Kīlauea summit. While there was evidence for new magma intrusion into Nāpau Crater area through seismic and deformation data, the chemistry indicated that previously stored magma had been erupted from the rift zone. Plagioclase crystals from the opening phases of the eruption had unique chemical zoning; the interior reflects growth in magma that was likely previously stored, while the outer zone has a different chemistry that was influenced by the new magma that intruded from the summit.
Kīlauea summit erupted at Halemaʻumaʻu from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, in three distinct episodes. HVO staff collected molten samples of lava from the caldera floor and airfall samples from the lava fountain that fell on the crater rim. Olivine crystals analyzed from the first episode of the eruption mostly show typical Kīlauea summit compositions; however, some minerals show differences between their cores and rims that could suggest magmatic transfer from multiple magma storage regions beneath the summit of Kīlauea.
These differences in crystal compositions helps us understand what happened to the magmas beneath the surface. If you're interested in learning more about Hawai'i's active volcanoes, see the Volcano Awareness Month schedule of events here!
VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES:
Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH. The eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea resumed just after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after being paused for nearly 12 days. Small fountains began at about 5:40 a.m. followed by lava flows just after 9:00 a.m. and the resumption of fountaining from the northern vent by 10:00 a.m. The onset of episode 4 began toward the end of the time window (January 9-15) that HVO had identified where an eruption restart was most likely. Kīlauea summit has been steadily deflating as episode 4 of the eruption continues. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea's East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region. Earthquake rates in the Southwest Rift Zone and upper to middle East Rift Zone remained comparable to the previous week. Ground deformation rates outside of the summit region remained steady.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Five earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 12 km (7 mi) SSE of Fern Forest at 7 km (4 mi) depth on January 13 at 10:44 a.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 10 km (6 mi) NE of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on January 12 at 11:27 a.m. HST, a M3.2 earthquake 19 km (11 mi) NNE of Honoka'a at 11 km (7 mi) depth on January 10 at 10:34 a.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 19 km (11 mi) NE of Kukuihaele at 5 km (3 mi) depth on January 10 at 9:31 a.m. HST, and a M3.1 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) S of Fern Forest at 7 km (4 mi) depth on January 9 at 8:30 a.m. HST.
An easy way to think about these crystals and how they record magmatic events is to envision yourself as a journalist outside of a sporting event, and you need to know what happened at the game by interviewing different spectators (crystals). Some spectators show up early and witness the entire event, some arrive late, some are seated close to the action, and some roamed the stadium and forgot certain events even happened. Different crystals are the different fans that are all observing the game (or magmatic event) with a different perspective.
This analogy originated out of observing the complexities and nuances in olivine alone, but it can be extended to apply to the variety of crystals in magmatic system as well. Thus, by studying the range of crystals, we get to learn about the magmatic system from a multitude of perspectives.
This method was applied to study the two most recent eruptions of Kīlauea, in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Geology Department. From Sept. 15-20, Kīlauea erupted in and near Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone. During the opening phase of this eruption, we collected molten and spatter samples that were rapidly cooled by submerging the samples in water or quenched in the air. This preserves the pre-eruptive chemistry.
From those samples, we analyzed bulk chemistry, which showed compositional differences compared to typical lavas erupted at Kīlauea summit. While there was evidence for new magma intrusion into Nāpau Crater area through seismic and deformation data, the chemistry indicated that previously stored magma had been erupted from the rift zone. Plagioclase crystals from the opening phases of the eruption had unique chemical zoning; the interior reflects growth in magma that was likely previously stored, while the outer zone has a different chemistry that was influenced by the new magma that intruded from the summit.
Kīlauea summit erupted at Halemaʻumaʻu from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, in three distinct episodes. HVO staff collected molten samples of lava from the caldera floor and airfall samples from the lava fountain that fell on the crater rim. Olivine crystals analyzed from the first episode of the eruption mostly show typical Kīlauea summit compositions; however, some minerals show differences between their cores and rims that could suggest magmatic transfer from multiple magma storage regions beneath the summit of Kīlauea.
These differences in crystal compositions helps us understand what happened to the magmas beneath the surface. If you're interested in learning more about Hawai'i's active volcanoes, see the Volcano Awareness Month schedule of events here!
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| View of the Kīlauea summit eruption in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, from the south rim of the caldera. The caldera wall behind the erupting vents is approximately 210 meters (690 feet) tall. Thursday morning, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews reported lava fountain heights of 50 meters (160 feet) and 40 m (140 feet) from north and south vents, respectively. At about 8:25 a.m. field crews reported that parts of the south vent collapsed, with an associated reduction of about half in south vent lava fountain height. Lava flow activity has remained confined to the southwest crater floor area near the active vents. USGS photo by K. Lynn. |
Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH. The eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea resumed just after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after being paused for nearly 12 days. Small fountains began at about 5:40 a.m. followed by lava flows just after 9:00 a.m. and the resumption of fountaining from the northern vent by 10:00 a.m. The onset of episode 4 began toward the end of the time window (January 9-15) that HVO had identified where an eruption restart was most likely. Kīlauea summit has been steadily deflating as episode 4 of the eruption continues. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea's East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region. Earthquake rates in the Southwest Rift Zone and upper to middle East Rift Zone remained comparable to the previous week. Ground deformation rates outside of the summit region remained steady.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
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| During the reactivation of the Kīlauea summit eruption, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatoryscientists set up high resolution cameras to record eruption dynamics. While on field shifts, scientists measure fountain and cone heights, take thermal and observational images, and collect samples for monitoring purposes. During the field shift on Thursday, Jan. 16, staff were able to collect time-stamped airfall samples falling out of the plume. This photo is looking NE toward Volcano House from the west caldera rim. USGS photo by H. Winslow |
Five earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 12 km (7 mi) SSE of Fern Forest at 7 km (4 mi) depth on January 13 at 10:44 a.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 10 km (6 mi) NE of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on January 12 at 11:27 a.m. HST, a M3.2 earthquake 19 km (11 mi) NNE of Honoka'a at 11 km (7 mi) depth on January 10 at 10:34 a.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 19 km (11 mi) NE of Kukuihaele at 5 km (3 mi) depth on January 10 at 9:31 a.m. HST, and a M3.1 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) S of Fern Forest at 7 km (4 mi) depth on January 9 at 8:30 a.m. HST.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
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To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
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A FARMER VETERAN FELLOWSHIP FUND application is open
This is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to Veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching.
This is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to Veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching.
Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. The application will close on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. with awards set to be announced in May.
To apply, visit the FVC website. Email fellowship@farmvetco.org with any questions.
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION NCRS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS for 2025 are open for applications.
USDA NRCS in the Pacific Islands area is now considering proposals from farmers, ranchers, and foresters in the Pacific Islands area through Jan. 31 for technical and financial assistance through the NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Agricultural Management Assistance program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Applications and more information are available at local USDA Service Centers and online.
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION NCRS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS for 2025 are open for applications.
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USDA NRCS in the Pacific Islands area is now considering proposals from farmers, ranchers, and foresters in the Pacific Islands area through Jan. 31 for technical and financial assistance through the NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Agricultural Management Assistance program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Applications and more information are available at local USDA Service Centers and online.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
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| 5,000 delivered in the mail, 2,500 on the streets. |
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