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Archive for February, 2005
‘Hawaiian activity’ studied at Italian volcano
Feb 24th
Volcanology is an inexact science. At least, that is what we are always led to believe. Increased sophistication in measurement techniques however, has enabled volcanologists to become more precise with their data and interpretations. The increased precision has either improved or overturned many long-held beliefs and models of volcanic processes. Recently, scientists were able to conduct a first-of-its-kind study of “Hawaiian explosive activity” at Mount Etna, a basaltic volcano in Italy.
‘Hawaiian activity’ studied at Italian volcano
Feb 24th
Volcanology is an inexact science. At least, that is what we are always led to believe. Increased sophistication in measurement techniques however, has enabled volcanologists to become more precise with their data and interpretations. The increased precision has either improved or overturned many long-held beliefs and models of volcanic processes. Recently, scientists were able to conduct a first-of-its-kind study of “Hawaiian explosive activity” at Mount Etna, a basaltic volcano in Italy.
Tradwinds return, clear vog
Feb 17th
Residents of east Hawai`i are finally getting some relief from nearly two months of intermittently poor air quality caused by sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas and acidic particles released from Kilauea — and the southerly winds that kept these emissions in east Hawai`i. The spate of kona winds that brought the vog “home for the holidays” in December abated early last week. Undoubtedly, residents of the Hilo and Puna districts and parts of Ka`u on the Big Island had lighter hearts due to the clean air, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Amazing changes at Mount St. Helens
Feb 10th
If you’ve been reading Volcano Watch or following the news from Washington State, you know that Mount St. Helens began erupting in early October 2004 for the first time in 18 years. What you may not know is that Mount St. Helens is still erupting, and at a rate roughly equivalent to that of Kilauea, or a truckload of lava every second. At right are are shaded-relief maps that illustrate the changes that have occurred as a result of the current eruption in the crater of Mount St. Helens.
Lava returns to sea
Feb 3rd
Lava viewers will be happy to hear that flows are entering the ocean again, but this show may not last long. Since January 31, we’ve had two widely spaced entries, one at West Highcastle and the other at Ka`ili`ili. The good news is that the West Highcastle entry is relatively close—2.5 km (1.5 mi)—from the ranger shed at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Ka`ili`ili, just west of the site of Waha`ula, is a longer haul—7.5 km (4.7 mi) from the ranger shed.
