HW_HawaiiVO
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EES 0836
Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Disasters: Geology vs. Hollywood
Introduction
Steven Chemtob, PhD, watched a clip from Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York (2006), and addressed the difficulties of forecasting eruptions. Obviously, in the clip Steven watched, tectonically speaking, there would be no way to predict that a volcano would erupt beneath that man’s house. Note, however, that there are events that can precede eruptions that can aid volcanologists in making predictions. In this activity, you will be using the United States Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website and making predictions as to future eruptions. Learning Objectives
●
Compare how the depiction of an eruption of a volcano from the movie Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York relates to real world phenomena. (3, 4, a, b)
●
Outline how the eruption of volcanoes in Hawaii would affect people and the environment. (3, 2, a, c)
●
Assess the possibility of a future eruption through current observations. (1, 3, c)
Part 1: YVO at birds eye view
If you visit Hawaii Volcano Observatory
you can see they observe several volcanoes, including the subaquatic volcano Loihi. Loihi is expected to become the next Hawaiian island in 10,000 to 100,000 years. Using the included website, answer the following questions. 1.
How many volcanoes are monitored at this observatory?
USGS scientists monitor over 160 active and potentially active volcanoes in the United States.
2.
How many volcano(es), if any, are considered:
a.
Very high threat: Kīlauea, Mauna Loa
b.
High threat: Hualālai
c.
Moderate threat: Haleakalā , Mauna Kea
3.
Are all of these the same type of volcano? No, they are not. Some are active and some are not active. 4.
Do any volcanoes have an advisory above green/normal? If so, which volcanoes, what color is the
advisory, and why?
5.
Has it erupted (if so, how long) or are volcanologists predicting it will erupt any time soon?
EES 0836
Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. The most recent eruptive activity took place from September 10-16, 2023.
Part 2
: HVO with more focus
As you could see in part 1, HVO is monitoring more than just volcanoes. But we are here to look specifically at Kilauea. Is it leading up to something, or is it just doing what it always does? Either click on the link to Kilauea under threat potential or click here
. 1.
What type of volcano is Kilauea?
Shield
2.
What is the composition of the lava?
Basalt
3.
What is the “Threat Potential”?
Very High
4.
Look at “Current Alerts”
a.
What is the current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
b.
What is the current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
5.
Summarize the “Activity Summary”
a.
Is Kilauea erupting?
No. b.
What is the rate of seismicity?
5-7 miles (8-11 km). Earthquakes are dispersed widely from the summit to the southwest and the number remain below 10 earthquakes per hour. c.
What is the rate of ground deformation?
Ground deformation remains low with tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff
d.
What is the rate of emissions, and what is Kilauea emitting?
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission rates have been low since October 2023. An SO2 emission rate of 70 tons per day was recorded on January 17.
EES 0836
6.
If you had the opportunity to purchase a house that was located on Kilauea, what would you do to
try to protect it from future eruptions? Explain your answer. (2-3 sentences)
1.
Always monitor and read about the volcano to be prepared. 2.
Let everyone I live with familiar with volcano evacuation. 3.
Learn about seismic activity, gas emissions, ground deformation, and changes in water sources. 4.
If I live near a volcano, I’ll make sure that my house is built with lava resistant materials such as stone or even concrete. 5.
Keep food and water for emergency. 6.
Stay away from danger zones. 7.
Follow authorities instructions. Short Answer
(2-3 paragraph):
As Steven Chemtob talked about in the reaction video, they noted that some of the events that preceded the eruption of the volcano appear to make sense, albeit on a condensed timeline. Based on what you found in your Hawaiian Volcano observatory research, answer the following questions. ●
What are the similarities and differences between what was in the movie clip and what you researched? In your response, be sure to include all of the noted information that Dr. Chemtob addressed, including tectonic setting, lava composition, events that precede the eruption, as well as the type of volcano they thought it was.
○
New York is not a volcanic setting. The geologic forces that generated volcanoes in the eastern United States millions of years ago no longer exist. ○
There was seismic activity, and strange odor and also the animals were acting weird. ●
Does this compare/differ with your research? Explain your answer.
○
Even though both shows the importance if seismic activity and gas, they are mostly different. The video clip shows a volcano erupting in a non-volcanic region. The research
provides more detailed information about the signs and precursors of volcanic eruptions, including monitoring data and volcano-specific details, which are not explored in the movie scene. ●
If you were to rewrite this scene, what would you do to make it more realistic? ○
Instead of depicting the lava as excessively liquid and flowing swiftly like water, it would
be more realistic to portray it with a viscosity and flow rate that align with the composition of the lava and the specific type of volcanic eruption. Furthermore, incorporating accurate descriptions of the physical environment surrounding the protagonist's home, such as the presence of volcanic ash or other debris, would enhance the sense of imminent danger in the scene.
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