HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 8:02 AM 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: The steady lowering of the lava lake in “Overlook crater” within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano has raised the potential for explosive eruptions in the coming weeks. If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Kīlauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions. Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu and the Kīlauea summit. At this time, we cannot say with certainty that explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be, or how long such explosive activity could continue….

BALLISTIC PROJECTILES
During steam-driven explosions, ballistic blocks up to 2 m (yards) across could be thrown in all directions to a distance of 1 km (0.6 miles) or more. These blocks could weigh a few kilograms (pounds) to several tons.

Smaller (pebble-size) rocks could be sent several kilometers (miles) from Halemaʻumaʻu, mostly in a downwind direction.

Yow. If’n yer on the big island… heads up. Also watch out for ash, which should do a dandy job of trashing aviation downwind of the volcano.

But wait! There’s more!

Iranian forces fire rockets at Israeli military in first direct attack ever, Israel’s army says

The Russians are backing Assad. The Iranians are backing Assad. If the Iranians keep up this sort of thing, the Israelis might well stomp right on in to Syria. And the Russian forces on the ground would be *really* well advised to tell Assad that he dun goofed, and to discretely back out the door.

I’ve long supposed that a century from now, Damascus might be one of the bigger cities in Greater Israel.