Kilauea Volcano Alert Warning Now Upgraded To 'Red' -

USGS CHANGES KILAUEA VOLCANO ALERT WARNING TO "RED"

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has upgraded the Warning Level for the ongoing Kilauea Volcano from ORANGE to RED. 

Ash emissions from the volcano are increasing dramatically.  The ask is now posing a hazard to aviation and COULD be a sign of a large eruption coming.

HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: RED 
Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 1:23 PM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number:
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii

Volcanic Activity Summary: As of early this morning, eruption of ash from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit has generally increased in intensity. Ash has been rising nearly continuously from the vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. Ashfall and vog (volcanic air pollution) has been reported in Pahala, about 18 miles downwind. NWS radar and pilot reports indicate the top of the ash cloud is as high as 10,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level, but this may be expected to vary depending on the vigor of activity and wind conditions. 

Photo from 5:00 PM Eastern US time, Tuesday, May 15, 2018:

Ash emission from the Kilauea summit vent will likely be variable with periods of increased and decreased intensity depending on the occurrence of rockfalls into the vent and other changes within the vent.

At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. 

Resource on volcanic ash hazards: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/

Resource on vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/


Recent Observations:
[Volcanic cloud height] 10,000 - 12,000 feet
[Other volcanic cloud information] Drifting generally southwest with tradewinds. 

Hazard Analysis:
[Ash cloud] The ashcloud is drifting downwind primarily to the southwest with the Trade Winds. Wind conditions are expected to change in the next 24 hours and other areas around Kilauea's summit are likely to receive ashfall.
[Ashfall] Ashfall has been reported in the community of Pahala, at locations along Highway 11 from Pahala to Volcano, and in the Ka'u Desert section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
[Other hazards] Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur. Impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau.
[Volcanic gas] Vog or volcanic air pollution produced by volcanic gas has been reported in Pahala.

Remarks: Photos of this activity may be found here:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html


Contacts: askHVO@usgs.gov

Next Notice: Additional notices will be issued should activity change significantly.
Consult the National Weather Service for specific Ashfall notifications:http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/


The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.

Hawaii goes on red alert for 'major eruption' of Kilauea volcano 

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano could have a major devastating eruption at 'any time', the US Geographical Survey has said.

The volcano has been erupting for 10 days, and more than 2000 residents have already been evacuated. 

'At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent,' the USGS said on Tuesday afternoon.

The USGS also raised the volcano aviation alert level at Hawaii’s Kilauea to red - the highest level - which indicates a 'major volcanic eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected with hazardous activity both on the ground and in the air.'

A recent lowering of the lava lake at the volcano's Halemaumau crater 'has raised the potential for explosive eruptions' at the volcano, the organisation said.

Plumes of smoke are reaching up to 12,000 feet into the sky and ash is raining on to nearby towns. On Wednesday, The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded a lava temperature of 217 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Some of the vents in the volcano are now reportedly releasing such high levels of sulfur dioxide that it's posing a grave danger to anyone nearby.