Cool Happenings

A swarm of earthquakes started this morning at 2:30 a.m. Check out the earthquake map.

We had 70 in the following two hours and have had about 230 so far today.
It could indicate some change in the Kilauea eruption. Exciting stuff!

Unfortunately, the National Park closed most of the park so we couldn't check things out up close and personal.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that 2 cm cracks have opened on Chain of Craters Road near Mauna Ulu. Tiltmeters have been recording deflation which can mean that the magma is on the move. (My description, not theirs.) They say "All data so far indicate that an intrusion of magma started in the Mauna Ulu area and appears to be moving slowly down rift. This event may be decreasing lava supplied to Pu`u `O`o vent."

The vent that is currently active is Pu'u O'o (Hill of the O'o bird in English). It has been active since January 3, 1983. Helicopter overflights and other observers report that portions of the Pu'u O'o cone have collapsed and that the magma levels have dropped.

So, who knows what will happen but it could be good.