The ongoing eruption of Pu'u 'O'o on Kilauea's middle east rift zone

Western Region, National Park Servic

Observations on basaltic lava streams in tubes from Kilauea Volcano, island of Hawai\u27i

From 1986 to 1997, the Pu\u27u \u27O\u27o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea produced a vast pahoehoe flow field fed by lava tubes that extended 10–12 km from vents on the volcano\u27s east rift zone to the ocean. Within a kilometer of the vent, tubes were as much as 20 m high and 10–25 m wide. On steep slopes (4–10°) a little farther away from the vent, some tubes formed by roofing over of lava channels. Lava streams were typically 1–2 m deep flowing within a tube that here was typically 5 m high and 3 m wide. On the coastal plain (\u3c1°), tubes within inflated sheet flows were completely filled, typically 1–2 m high, and several tens of meters wide. Tubes develop as a flow\u27s crust grows on the top, bottom, and sides of the tubes, restricting the size of the fluid core. The tubes start out with nearly elliptical cross-sectional shapes, many times wider than high. Broad, flat sheet flows evolve into elongate tumuli with an axial crack as the flanks of the original flow were progressively buried by breakouts. Temperature measurements and the presence of stalactites in active tubes confirmed that the tube walls were above the solidus and subject to melting. Sometimes, the tubes began downcutting. Progressive downcutting was frequently observed through skylights; a rate of 10 cm/d was measured at one skylight for nearly 2 months

Observations on basaltic lava streams in tubes from Kilauea Volcano, island of Hawai\u27i

From 1986 to 1997, the Pu\u27u \u27O\u27o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea produced a vast pahoehoe flow field fed by lava tubes that extended 10–12 km from vents on the volcano\u27s east rift zone to the ocean. Within a kilometer of the vent, tubes were as much as 20 m high and 10–25 m wide. On steep slopes (4–10°) a little farther away from the vent, some tubes formed by roofing over of lava channels. Lava streams were typically 1–2 m deep flowing within a tube that here was typically 5 m high and 3 m wide. On the coastal plain (\u3c1°), tubes within inflated sheet flows were completely filled, typically 1–2 m high, and several tens of meters wide. Tubes develop as a flow\u27s crust grows on the top, bottom, and sides of the tubes, restricting the size of the fluid core. The tubes start out with nearly elliptical cross-sectional shapes, many times wider than high. Broad, flat sheet flows evolve into elongate tumuli with an axial crack as the flanks of the original flow were progressively buried by breakouts. Temperature measurements and the presence of stalactites in active tubes confirmed that the tube walls were above the solidus and subject to melting. Sometimes, the tubes began downcutting. Progressive downcutting was frequently observed through skylights; a rate of 10 cm/d was measured at one skylight for nearly 2 months

Long-lasting Eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii Leads to Volcanic-Air Pollution

In 1986 the eruption of Kilauea Volcano changed from the episodic fountaining of lava and gas at Pu`u O`o cone every few weeks to the continuous outpouring of lava from a new vent only 3 kilometers away. The volcano began releasing a large, steady supply of sulfur dioxide gas into the atmosphere. During the episodic activity, enough time had elapsed between fountaining episodes for the prevailing trade winds (brisk winds from the northeast of Hawai`i) to blow volcanic gas away from the island. When the eruption style changed, however, the daily release of as much as 2,000 tons of sulfur dioxide gas led to a persistent air pollution problem downwind. The sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas released reacts chemically with sunlight, oxygen, dust particles, and water in the air to form a mixture of sulfate (S04-2) aerosols (tiny particles and droplets), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and other oxidized sulfur species. Together, this gas and aerosol mixture produces a hazy atmospheric condition known as volcanic smog or "vog." The condition is illustrated with 7 photographs, a shaded-relief map of the Island of Hawai`i showing the wind patterns, and a diagram of 1992-1997 SO2 emissions rates from Kilauea Volcano's east rift zone. Educational levels: High school, Middle school, Undergraduate lower division

When Lava Enters the Sea: Growth & Collapse of Lava Deltas

This web page uses photographs and illustrations of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, to illustrate the typical growth and collapse of lava deltas, fan-shaped platforms formed when pahoehoe lava enters the ocean for extended periods of time. The page also discusses the hazards associated with active lava deltas. Educational levels: General public, High school, Middle school, Undergraduate lower division

Evaluation of external errors relating to portable use of Digital Image Correlation

A strength of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is the potential manoeuvrability of the system. It is noted, however, that by increasing the range of locations in which analysis is carried out, the number of uncontrollable variables grow. For example, when testing outside there may be changes to ambient lighting or there may be external vibrations occurring and these effects may alter measurement accuracy. The overall objective of this research is to quantify errors associated with the use of DIC in different (non-ideal) locations and, associated with this, to find methods of limiting the effect of the potential error sources. The reference test sample is a thin-walled shell into which defects can be introduced at specified locations, thus disturbing the local strain field. A portable test rig, which makes use of an internal vacuum, to cause a pressure differential on the component, has been designed and deployed to explore the potential of using DIC as a method of non-destructive evaluation. Preliminary results have been conducted in a laboratory setting to ensure that the strain data correlate with finite element analysis. Following from initial experimentation, successive investigations into the effects of possible external error sources have been conducted. These include: ground vibrations, increased airflow and changes in ambient lighting. Each experiment is repeated five times to allow for random error of the testing process. DIC has been shown to be a powerful tool in identifying the strain perturbation associated with the presence of defects. Initial results indicate that environment conditions have the potential to lead to perturbation of results, but that these may be identified and minimised and/or corrected if care is taken