Kaʻū News Briefs April 19, 2024

A USGS team visited a webcam at Kīlauea Crater to maintain it on Thursday. Photo by K. Anderson/USGS

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR OLD QUESTIONS is the focus of this week's Volcano Watch — Magnetics, magma, and monitoring. Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Today's article is by HVO geophysicist Ashton Flinders:
    Earth's magnetic field surrounds us every second of the day, everywhere on the planet. Anyone who has picked up a pocket compass and seen the magnetic needle quickly align itself has seen the action of this ever-present invisible field. But can we harness the magnetic field to forecast volcanic activity? Emerging technology in the field of "quantum" science may aid us in doing so.

Volcano Observatory Scientists at the rim of Kīlauea volcano measuring variations in magnetic field strength in 1950. 

Photo by Ray E. Wilcox

    On a large scale, the structure of the Earth is divided into four main layers: the crust, the mantle, and the inner and outer core. The outer core, which starts at about 1800 miles (2,900 km) beneath your feet and extends for an additional 1,400 miles (2,260 km), is composed mostly of iron and nickel. At these depths the temperature (about 9,000 Fahrenheit or 5,000 Celsius) keeps the outer core fluid and constantly moving. This movement sets up a process a bit like an electrical generator you might be familiar with—the moving metallic fluid creates electrical currents. These currents generate the Earth's magnetic field—the same one you use to orient a compass to North.
    At volcanoes, variations in the magnetic field arise primarily from four sources: long-term changes related to changes in the motion of Earth's outer core, external electrical currents, space weather events (such as solar flares), and changes in magnetic properties of rocks due to volcanic activity. In general, the

Image of crust, mantle, inner and outer core of Earth. Art from USGS

changes caused by the first three sources of variation can be considered relatively uniform over a small area, which allows us to correct for them using measurements at a remote, but still "local" and "magnetically quiet" reference site.
    Rapid magnetic changes associated with volcanic processes are usually very small, between 1 and 10 nanoTesla (nT) units. For context, a refrigerator magnet has a magnetic field strength of about five million nT! The sensitivity of magnetic measuring instruments ("magnetometers") determines whether volcanic changes can be detected within the considerable noise produced through other, non-volcanic, electromagnetic fluctuations. These volcanic fluctuations can arise from variations in the magnetization of rocks induced by stress redistribution or changes in the thermodynamic state of the volcanic edifice.
    Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) has had a magnetic monitoring network on Mount Etna for over 20 years. The network is comprised of eight stations on the volcano and a reference station. All stations measure the total local magnetic field every 5 seconds, and the network is designed to make it possible to easily distinguish deep sources of change from superficial ones.
    From their long time series of data, INGV has shown that the variations they observe in the magnetic field can often be attributed to shallow magmatic intrusions (when magma moves into a new area beneath the surface but fails to erupt). These intrusions cause permanent magnetic anomalies which, together with observed earthquake swarms and the ground deformation, generally precede and accompany magma

Dr. Gordon MacDonald first investigated changes
in the magnetic field at Kīlauea in 1950. USGS photo

moving towards the surface. For example, INGV has observed pre- and syn-eruptive magnetic anomalies during the eruptions of Mount Etna in 2001, 2002, and 2008.
    At Kīlauea, measuring changes in the magnetic field to monitor the volcano has only been briefly explored. Initial investigations were performed by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologist Gordon Macdonald between 1950–1951. Macdonald realized that conditions weren't ideal, but he gave it his best attempt given available time, staffing, and the state of the current technology.
    Two decades later, in 1973, HVO geologist Paul Davis showed that daily averages of records from three synchronized magnetometers on Kīlauea revealed a 1.5 nT change in the local magnetic field during the ongoing Maunaulu eruption. A few years later, USGS volcano geodesist Dan Dzurisin operated a small network of magnetometers, but no results were ever published.
    Similar to recent instrument advances in measuring the absolute acceleration of gravity, newly available quantum-based sensors have opened the door on previous magnetic-monitoring challenges. These new quantum magnetometers provide comparable sensitivity and data rates to traditional technology but require significantly lower power and are simpler to install. The new sensors are also dramatically smaller, about the size of your thumb!
    While HVO does not currently operate any quantum-based magnetometers, the observatory is constantly testing the potential of new technology for volcano monitoring. The questions we ask about volcanoes fundamentally remain the same—where and when will a volcano erupt—and our ability to answer those questions only gets better as technology advances. Will magnetic monitoring have a future in monitoring Kīlauea volcano, as HVO scientists from 70 years ago hoped? We don't know yet, but when we do, we'll let you know!

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VOLCANIC OBSERVATORY UPDATES: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY. Rates of seismic activity increased beneath the summit over the past week but remain low relative to periods before recent intrusions or eruptions. About 365 events were detected, which is nearly double that of the week before. The tiltmeter near Sand Hill continued to record inflationary trends.

Ongoing ground deformation patterns in the Southwest Rift Zone indicate that magma continues to migrate down rift in this region. No unusual activity has been noted along the East Rift Zone.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    Two earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.2 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) S of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on April 15 at 8:16 a.m. HST and a M2.8 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) S of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on April 15 at 6:31 a.m. HST. HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

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‘O KAʻŪ  KĀKOU HAS ANNOUNCED THE 2024 Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. along Highway 11 in  Nāʻālehu. OKK is looking for businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals that would like to be in the parade. Call or text Lee McIntosh 808-854-7846 as soon as possible.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FROM KAʻŪ HOSPITAL FOUNDATION for students seeking to pursue a career in the medical field. Scholarships are also available to Ka'u Hospital staff who wish to further their medical education. Scholarships are $1,000 per year per recipient. Any student who resides in the Kaʻū District or any staff employee of Kaʻū Hospital are eligible to apply. Email Kaʻū Hospital Foundation at kauhospitalfoundation@gmail.com to receive an application. There is no application deadline. Scholarships are available as funding permits.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

Kaʻū News Briefs April 18, 2024

Kaunāmano between Honu‘apo and Nāʻālehu was seen in this real estate listing for $11.5 million in 2015 but has been conserved and is the subject of a community input stewardship meeting this Saturday at Kahuku Ranch Cabins at 10 a.m.
Photo from Hawai‘i Pacific Brokers

COMMUNITY TALK STORY ON STEWARDSHIP FOR KAUNĀMANO is this Saturday, April 20  at Kahuku Ranch Cabins from 10 a.m. to noon. The almost four miles along the coast with 1,363 acres, is conserved between Honu‘apo and Nāʻālehu and is managed by Ala Kahakai Trail Association. Community members are welcome to take part of the discussion on Saturday.

    In 2014, when community members were seeking funding for the purchase of Kaunāmano to preserve it, Trust for Public Land stated that “Acquisition would protect native gathering rights, subsistence fishing, the Kaʻū community’s access to the property’s nearly four miles of coastline, native ecosystems, possible endangered species, cultural sites and burials, and a cultural landscape of historic significance.                                      "Acquisition would also allow for some recreational practices to continue such as recreational fishing, flying kites from the property’s lookout area Pohina Pali Lookout, and possibly camping. 

     "Excluding the coastal village, the property is grazed by a local rancher. Since there are no trees on this land, the huge, open vistas from the top of the property down to the shoreline allow ocean views almost unparalleled from any other site in Kaʻū. The property offers high educational and cultural benefits from being able to visit and learn from the many cultural sites. Kaunāmano means 'the multitudes are placed here.’ Protecting Kaunamano will honor a place where Kaʻū’s kupuna lived and where the people of Kaʻū visit today to remember their past.”

     TPL described it as “a place of great historic significance as a seat of government for Kaʻū chiefs who kept a watchful eye on Kaunāmano from a vantage point overlooking the large coastal property and the Kahua ‘Olohu makahiki grounds directly mauka of the property. The property contains at least 444 ancient Hawaiian cultural sites with more than 3,900 features, including enclosures, mounds, platforms, walls, salt pans, walled terraces, petroglyphs, papamu, heiau, ceremonial sites, burial sites, a refuge cave (and other lava tubes) and a portion of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail which connects the coastal villages of Honu‘apo to the north with Waikapuna to the south. Many of these sites are in the largely intact ancient coastal village of Pa‘ula. Native coastal plants dominate the coastal landscape, ‘opae ‘ula (native red shrimp) abound in the large coastal cave of Puhi‘ula, and its pristine waters are home to numerous native fish, limu and other marine species."

    In 2015, the property was listed for $11.5 million by Hawai‘i Pacific Brokers with the listing noting its potential for subdivision. It was later preserved through governmental funding.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has announced its 40th annual Cultural Festival
 will be July 20 at Kahuku. NPS Photo

THE 40TH ANNUAL VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL IS ANNOUNCED. It is planned for Kahuku on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free.
    A vibrant lineup of local performers, hula performances and engaging Hawaiian arts and craft demonstrations will be announced in the weeks ahead. Visitors can also learn about local conservation efforts through fun, interactive exhibits.
    Bring water, sun protection, and a rain jacket. Sunscreen, a hat and a ground mat or chair are recommended. Festival T-shirts, food and refreshments will be available for sale (or bring a picnic). This family experience is a drug- and alcohol-free event.
    Kahuku is located on the mauka side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, a 50-minute drive south of the park's main entrance.
    The 40th annual Cultural Festival is co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

‘O KAʻŪ  KĀKOU HAS ANNOUNCED THE 2024  Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. along Highway 11 in  Nāʻālehu. OKK is looking for businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals that would like to be in the parade. Call or text Lee McIntosh 808-854-7846 as soon as possible.