Kilauea: new gas vent pouring out record volumes of sulphur dioxide 19 March 2008
Posted by volcanism in Hawaii, Kilauea, United States, activity reports.trackback
A newly formed vent at the summit of Kilauea is producing the highest volumes of sulphur dioxide recorded at the volcano since measurements began in 1979, reports the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in a 14 March 2008 press release. The new vent broke through the eastern wall of Halema’uma’u crater on 12 March, and by the following day the volume of SO2 being emitted by the volcano doubled, from 600-1000 tonnes per day to 1800-2000 tonnes per day. The root cause of this ‘unusual’ rise in SO2 emission is not clear, notes the HVO. The vent itself has been displaying dull red incandescence during the hours of darkness: ‘the eye of the volcano goddess Pele’ according to some, reports the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, poetically.
The risk of respiratory hazards in the vicinity of the volcano has increased as a result of this new activity, and the National Park Service has restricted access to roads and trails around Kilauea caldera.
Information
Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program - summary information for Kilauea (1302-01-)
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory - main page for the HVO
HVO Kilauea Status Page - the latest activity reports for Kilauea
News
New volcanic vent spewing toxic gas - Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 15 March 2008
Sulfur dioxide pouring from volcano in record amounts - KPUA.net, 15 March 2008
Glowing sulfur stumps brains at volcano site - Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 18 March 2008
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