Hawaiian Volcano Update: Post-Eruption Wildfire By Nāpau As Kīlauea Recharges, October 10, 2024

Following the September 20-25 eruption around and within Nāpau Crater on the East Rift, a wildfire plume became evident on the crater’s south side on the afternoon of October 6 on webcams from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park responded with fire suppression efforts consisting of fire lines and water drops, for which the Maunaulu parking lot and trails were temporarily closed. Webcams showed persistent smoke through October 9, which greatly diminished by daybreak today, perhaps also aided by sporadic rain across the area. The recent eruption site continues to weakly steam, but glow from lava sources appears to have ceased.

Monitoring signals remain similar to last week, where “data show that magma is continuing to move at a low rate from the summit to the middle East Rift Zone. Future intrusive episodes and eruptions could occur with continued magma supply” according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Earthquakes follow last weeks trend in clustering mostly beneath the summit, from the base of the volcanic pile through the zone of magmatic reservoirs, as well as flanking the recent eruption site on the East Rift. Ground movements are much reduced from recent weeks, but still trend towards underground filling at the summit and East Rift.

Gas emissions are back to the volcanic background near 60 tonnes of SO2 per day from the summit, while gas emissions are no longer being detected from the recent eruption site. Although of lesser concern, this is the greatest volcanic threat to people at present, especially those with respiratory sensitivities. Neighboring Maunaloa continues its usual pattern with a tiny bump in earthquakes yesterday due to minor movement on its southeast flank, perhaps in response to Kīlauea’s abundant recent adjustments.

As usual, we review the monitoring signals, imagery, and reports available courtesy of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, annotating the presentation on screen as we go and discussing live viewer questions.

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