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Operational tracking of lava lake surface motion at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i

Techniques and Methods 13-A3
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/tm13A3

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Abstract

Surface motion is an important component of lava lake behavior, but previous studies of lake motion have been focused on short time intervals. In this study, we implement the first continuous, real-time operational routine for tracking lava lake surface motion, applying the technique to the persistent lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i. We measure lake motion by using images from a fixed thermal camera positioned on the crater rim, transmitting images to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) in real time. We use an existing optical flow toolbox in Matlab to calculate motion vectors, and we track the position of lava upwelling in the lake, as well as the intensity of spattering on the lake surface. Over the past 2 years, real-time tracking of lava lake surface motion at Halema‘uma‘u has been an important part of monitoring the lake’s activity, serving as another valuable tool in the volcano monitoring suite at HVO.

Suggested Citation

Patrick, M.R., and Orr, T., 2018, Operational tracking of lava lake surface motion at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i,: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 13-A3, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/tm13A3.

ISSN: 2328-7055 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Operational tracking of lava lake surface motion at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Series title Techniques and Methods
Series number 13-A3
DOI 10.3133/tm13A3
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description iii, 12 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Section A: Methods used in volcano monitoring in Book 13: Volcano monitoring
Public Comments This report is Chapter 3 of Section A: Methods used in volcano monitoring in Book 13: Volcano monitoring.
Country United States
State Hawai‘i
Other Geospatial Kīlauea Volcano
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details