2018 Kilauea eruption

2018 Kilauea eruption
United States Geological Survey · Public domain · source
Name	2018 Kilauea eruption
Volcano	Kilauea
Location	Hawaii, United States
Start date	May 3, 2018
End date	August 2, 2018
Type	Volcanic eruption

2018 Kilauea eruption. The eruption was a significant event in the history of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with United States Geological Survey scientists closely monitoring the activity of Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, along with Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The eruption was characterized by the collapse of the Pu'u O'o crater and the formation of new volcanic vents in the Leilani Estates subdivision, affecting residents of Pahoa and Hilo. The event was also closely watched by NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Introduction

The 2018 Kilauea eruption was a complex event that involved the interaction of tectonic plates, magma movement, and gas emissions, similar to those observed during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. The eruption was preceded by increased seismicity and ground deformation in the Kilauea East Rift Zone, which is a region of high volcanic activity, including Mauna Ulu and Kapoho. Scientists from the United States Geological Survey and the University of Hawaii at Manoa were actively monitoring the volcano, using data from seismic stations and ground-based instruments to track the movement of magma and gas beneath the surface, similar to the monitoring efforts during the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull. The eruption was also influenced by the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of high volcanic and seismic activity that includes Mount Fuji, Mount Rainier, and Mount Shasta.

Background

Kilauea is a shield volcano that has been erupting continuously since 1983, with periods of increased activity, such as the 1960 Kapoho eruption and the 1955 Kilauea eruption. The volcano is part of the Hawaii-Emperor seamount chain, a chain of volcanoes that includes Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Loihi Seamount. The United States Geological Survey has been monitoring Kilauea's activity since the 1910s, using a combination of seismic stations, ground-based instruments, and satellite imagery to track the movement of magma and gas beneath the surface, similar to the monitoring efforts during the 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz. The volcano's activity is also influenced by the Pacific Plate, which is moving northwestward over a hotspot, creating a chain of volcanoes, including Yellowstone National Park and Crater Lake National Park.

Eruption

The eruption began on May 3, 2018, with the collapse of the Pu'u O'o crater, which had been erupting continuously since 1983. The collapse was followed by the formation of new volcanic vents in the Leilani Estates subdivision, which is located in the Kilauea East Rift Zone. The vents produced lava fountains, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows, which affected residents of Pahoa and Hilo. The eruption was characterized by the emission of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases, which affected the air quality in the surrounding area, similar to the gas emissions during the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull. The eruption was also monitored by NASA, which used satellite imagery to track the movement of lava flows and pyroclastic flows, similar to the monitoring efforts during the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Impact

The eruption had a significant impact on the surrounding community, with lava flows and pyroclastic flows affecting residents of Pahoa and Hilo. The eruption also affected the local economy, with the closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the disruption of tourism in the area, similar to the economic impact of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The eruption was also monitored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provided assistance to affected residents, similar to the response efforts during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The eruption had a significant impact on the environment, with the emission of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases affecting the air quality in the surrounding area, similar to the environmental impact of the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull.

Response

The response to the eruption was led by the United States Geological Survey, which provided critical information on the volcano's activity, similar to the response efforts during the 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also provided assistance to affected residents, including food, shelter, and medical care, similar to the response efforts during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The Hawaii National Guard was deployed to the area to assist with evacuations and security, similar to the response efforts during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The eruption was also monitored by NASA, which used satellite imagery to track the movement of lava flows and pyroclastic flows, similar to the monitoring efforts during the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Aftermath

The eruption ended on August 2, 2018, with the cessation of lava flows and pyroclastic flows. The aftermath of the eruption was marked by the rebuilding of affected communities, including Pahoa and Hilo. The eruption also led to a renewed focus on volcanic hazard mitigation, with the United States Geological Survey and the University of Hawaii at Manoa working to improve early warning systems and emergency response plans, similar to the efforts during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The eruption was also studied by scientists from around the world, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Cambridge, who sought to understand the underlying causes of the eruption and to improve our understanding of volcanic eruptions, similar to the research efforts during the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. The eruption was a significant event in the history of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and it will continue to be studied by scientists for years to come, along with other notable volcanic eruptions, such as the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora and the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Category:Volcanic eruptions