Eruptions cease

 At the present time both the eruptions of Mauna Loa and Kilauea have ceased. There is no activity at all on Mauna Loa. While there is no activity at Kilauea, occasionally the crusted over lava lake does overturn producing a brief period of glow from the lake. However, no new lava is being added to the lava lake.

Mauna Loa Eruption

 Mauna Loa is still erupting. A lobe of the flow cut acroos the access road to the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory and is heading toward Saddle Road connection the East and West sides of the island. It could reach Saddle Road in a couple of days. The latest probable path puts it in the vicinity of the access road to the Mauna Kea Observatories. Below is a USGS photo of the rift zone activity.

First snow of the season

 Last night Mauna Kea received the firat snow of the winter season. It was not a big snow and came later than usual. There will definitely be no winter playing from this snow.

Mauna Loa is Erupting

 Mauna Loa is currently erupting. The eruption started in the caldera at the summit of Mauna Loa, Since then lava has flowed out of the caldera and down the Northeast Rift Zone in the Hilo direction. So far the lava is moving slowly and not threatening any structures. It is in an unoccupied area.

Easter Snow

 It is April 17, 2022, but Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa have both experienced snow. It is not a deep snow at this time, but it is pretty as the picture from Keck Observatory indicates.

Late November Snow

 

Today, on November 30, we awoke to snow on Mauna Kea. It looks like a significant amount according to this picture from the Keck Observatory. As soon as the road to the summit is plowed, the skiers and snow boarders willl be out.

First Big Snow of 2021

     Although we have gotten several dustings of snow on Mauna Kea this winter season, the first big snow arrived today. Below is a picture of the summit area courtesy of UKIRT. It looks as though this might even be able to have fun with. It may be ski time.

Kilauea Volcano Erupts

 

 

After over two years of quiet, Kilauea has once again erupted. The current eruption is confined to the Halemaumau Crater and is not generally visible from any vantage point in the National Park. The lava boiled off the water lake and is now building a lava lake that is larger than the water lake. As of this writing, the lava lake is rising several yard per hour. The image above is an aerial view provided by the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory. We are waiting to see what develops from this point. The eruption was preceded by weeks of small earthquakes in the summit area that culminated in a 4.4 magnitude earthquake around 9:30 PM on 12/20/2020. That marked the onset of the eruption.

Big Island will reopen for tourism

 Hawaii has been essentially closed for tourism since the onset of COVID-19. However beginning on October 15, 2020 that has changed. Specifically for the Big Island for people flying directly to Kailua Kona, you must have a certified negative COVID test 72 hours before departing  for the Big Island. Once you arrive you will again be tested by a free rapid test to insure you have not developed a positive reading since your last test. If all is negative all is well and you are free to enjoy your vacation. If your rapid test is positive you have a 14 day quarantine or a return to your point of departure. Anyone that flies in without a prior negative test is subject to a 14 day quarantine.

First significant snow of the season

Finally on January 10, we finally got some significant snow on Mauna Kea. The skiers should be up there tomorrow. Access to the mountain is now available for those wishing to go up. Remember, if you are going up on your own, a 4WD is mandatory.