Volcano gave ‘hints’ activity would decrease

HILO — The scientist-in-charge at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said there “were some hints” the near cessation of seismic activity at Kilauea’s summit and drastic reduction of lava production by fissure 8 might happen.

Tina Neal told a media briefing Monday that “in retrospect” the laze plume and dramatic increase in sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission at Pu‘u O‘o vent noted Friday by scientists was a “potential hint that the system was changing.”

Neal said that after the summit collapse event on April 30, Pu‘u O‘o “really went quiet.”

“And we saw nothing and no activity and no plume there, once the rockfall dust from that collapse settled,” Neal said.

She said the output of SO2 from the vent went from between 100 to 150 tons per day to more than 1,000 tons per day, “the highest output from Pu‘u O‘o … in more than 10 years.”

“That’s very interesting. We do not fully understand what that means,” she said. “… It does mean that there’s magma at a very shallow level below Pu‘u O‘o that’s degassing. Whether that means that system is moving toward lava re-emerging in Pu‘u O‘o or not, we just can’t say. That will be a surprise to us if that happens.”

Neal said it’s too soon to call an end to the current eruptive phase in the volcano’s lower East Rift Zone, which began May 3 and destroyed more than 700 homes in lower Puna. She said scientists will “stay vigilant” and continue to monitor the volcano.

She added HVO will not send field crews to the lower East Rift Zone on Wednesday on the advice of Civil Defense, as Hurricane Hector is expected to pass south of the island sometime that morning and could bring tropical storm-force winds to parts of the Big Island.

County officials also cancelled a community meeting about the eruption scheduled for this evening in Pahoa because emergency personnel are preparing for Hector’s arrival.

Seismic activity at the summit has wreaked havoc with infrastructure and caused unsafe conditions in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, causing closure of most of the park on May 11. Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane said she had “quite a few questions come in … about when will the park reopen” since the reduction in volcanic activity.

“It is really too early to tell what Kilauea will do next, and the hazard has certainly not decreased at the moment, and we don’t know what’s happening next, so I don’t know,” Ferracane said.

Large sinkholes and fractured asphalt on Highway 11 are being repaired by state highway workers, necessitating one-lane closures and a reduced 25 mph speed limit. Government agencies are working together to create alternate and emergency routes should the highway fail.

But the fate of park features like Thurston Lava Tube are unknown because it’s too risky to send anyone inside to take a look.

“We miss being in the park, we miss sharing Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with visitors from around the world and across the street. We realize the extended closure is very hard on our community and disappointing to travelers. It’s hard on all of us, and we appreciate everyone’s continued understanding and support,” HVNP Superintendent Cindy Orlando said.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.