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Daily updates about ongoing eruptions, recent images and videos of summit and East Rift Zone volcanic activity, maps, and data about recent earthquakes in Hawaii are posted on the HVO website. 

Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and colleagues.

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Volcano Watch — Scientists stand by for an eruption that may never occur

Volcano Watch — Scientists stand by for an eruption that may never occur

Imagine this scene: the crew at the Hilo Fire Department receives a call telling them to stand by because an arsonist is setting a fire. If the blaze...

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Volcano Watch — Vog—a 1999 owners guide for Big Island residents

Volcano Watch — Vog—a 1999 owners guide for Big Island residents

During the past couple of months, those of us living in east Hawai`i have experienced several episodes of poor air quality, owing to disruptions of...

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Volcano Watch — Reginald T. Okamura: A personal recollection

Volcano Watch — Reginald T. Okamura: A personal recollection

Reggie and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory were inextricably associated for 34 years. I was privileged to be part of the relationship for much of...

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Volcano Watch — From lava flow to forest: Primary succession

Volcano Watch — From lava flow to forest: Primary succession

One of the most striking aspects of a newly formed lava flow is its barren and sterile nature. The process of colonization of such flows by plants and...

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Volcano Watch — Popocatepetl Acts Up

Volcano Watch — Popocatepetl Acts Up

Here's a quiz for all you volcano junkies: What's the second highest volcano in North America? Hint—it was named by the Aztecs and has been erupting...

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Volcano Watch — How long do eruptions last?

Volcano Watch — How long do eruptions last?

Kīlauea has been erupting for more than 16 years. Is this an exceptionally long time for an eruption to last? The answer is yes, but there have...

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Volcano Watch — Eruption of Kīlauea Volcano continues into its 17th year

Volcano Watch — Eruption of Kīlauea Volcano continues into its 17th year

Today is the 16th anniversary of the ongoing Pu`u `O`o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kīlauea Volcano. Lava has erupted from vents located on Kīlauea's east...

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Volcano Watch — Proposed experiment to discover source of Hawaiian volcanoes

Volcano Watch — Proposed experiment to discover source of Hawaiian volcanoes

When you visit the coast to watch lava pour into the sea, do you ever wonder where the lava came from and what path it took to the surface? We earth...

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Volcano Watch — Scientist-in-Charge of HVO recognized at international conference

Volcano Watch — Scientist-in-Charge of HVO recognized at international conference

Last week, four members of the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory attended the annual fall meeting of the American Geophysical...

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Volcano Watch — How vulnerable are the Kulani prison sites to future lava flows?

Volcano Watch — How vulnerable are the Kulani prison sites to future lava flows?

At a recent public meeting, the State of Hawai`i outlined a proposal to locate a new, approximately 2,300-bed medium-security correctional facility 10...

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Volcano Watch — Why study the Puna Ridge?

Volcano Watch — Why study the Puna Ridge?

Scientists have learned a lot about the on-land part of Kīlauea's east rift zone, but little is known about its underwater part, the Puna Ridge. A...

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Volcano Watch — A glimpse underneath Mauna Loa

Volcano Watch — A glimpse underneath Mauna Loa

Hawai`i is one of the most extensively studied volcanic regions in the world. However, there is still very little known about the processes that take...

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