Monitoring Of Halema'amu'a's Plume Continues

The park is currently supporting the Hawaii County Fire Department and the Hawaii National Guard Civil Support Team in conducting sulfur dioxide and particulate monitoring of the Halema’amu’a plume. The information that is being gathered by the county will be used by the National Park Service to validate the park’s recently revised volcanic contingency response strategy. Concentrations of sulfur dioxide and particulates in the plume issuing from the vent are being monitored regularly. Hazard assessments will model potential risks as the plume is influenced by changing weather patterns and will be used by the park and county to ensure public safety. The park has developed a volcanic events communication strategy which will support dissemination of information for visitor and employee safety. The county began issuing public service announcements and will update its response plan based on the final assessment of the monitoring data. Current levels of sulfur dioxide and particulates affecting local areas and communities are very low. Affected areas of the park remain closed to public access. A hazard assessment on the sulfur dioxide levels issuing from the Pu'u'O'o's plume was also made to determine its affects on local communities. Go to the USGS website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/  to view the plumes and to obtain eruption reports. More information is also available on the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/havo.