Volcano Community Association

March 16, 2010 - "Kilauea's Summit Eruption: What's Up and What's Next?"

On March 19, 2008, an explosion within Halema`ma`u Crater heralded the start of a new eruption, the first at Kilauea's summit since 1982. Surprisingly, this eruption was not preceded by traditional indicators, such as earthquakes and ground swelling. Also unusual, Kilauea's new summit eruption occurred without interrupting activity on the volcano's east rift zone, which has been erupting nearly nonstop since 1983. Although lava is frequently visible deep within the summit vent, it has not erupted significant amounts of ash or spatter. Instead, it has emitted great quantities of volcanic gas, creating a major impact on Hawai`i Island's air quality. On the second anniversary of this unique eruption, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volcanologist Mike Poland explores its possible causes, and discusses how Kilauea's summit eruption might evolve in the months and years to come.

April 6, 2010 - "Hawai`i's National Parks: An Environmental Research Laboratory"

Hawai`i's National Parks span vast ranges of elevation and exposure. Consequently, they encompass an incredible diversity of climates, soils, and ecosystems. This diversity of environments provides an ideal laboratory for scientific research on climate and ecosystem processes, such as water and carbon cycling and the effects of invasive plants. University of Hawai`i at Manoa climatologist Tom Giambelluca describes research underway within the spectacular variety of environments in Hawai`i Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks. His program explores a range of topics from effects of climate change on the trade wind inversion to impacts of strawberry guava invasion on water resources.

April 13, 2010 - "Our Dynamic Earth: Plate Tectonics in Action"

Planet Earth, sometimes called Terra Firma, is not actually terribly firm. Instead, it is in non-stop motion, according to the theory of plate tectonics. This relatively new scientific concept, which emerged in the 1960s, explains that the planet's outermost layer is fragmented into a mosaic of solid rock plates that are moving relative to one another as they ride atop hotter, more mobile material. Nearly all the world's earthquakes and volcanoes occur along or near boundaries between the plates. Then why are Hawaiian volcanoes found thousands of miles from the nearest plate boundary? Join Bob Tilling, USGS Senior Research Geologist (Emeritus) and former Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge, as he highlights the historical development of the theory and how Hawaiian eruptions fit into the big picture of global plate tectonics.

April 20, 2010 - "Ocean Stewardship in Pacific Islands National Parks"

Throughout the Pacific Ocean, natural and cultural resources, including coral reefs and other coastal and ocean environments, are threatened by natural and human-caused disturbances. Extensive inventory and monitoring is underway in National Parks in the Pacific, along with research on climate change effects, replenishment of juvenile corals, reef resilience, fisheries harvest and other marine conservation issues. Indigenous knowledge and traditional ocean use practices combined with scientific data offer independent yet complimentary ways to understand and manage marine resources. Join NPS marine ecologist and photographer Larry Basch to learn about marine treasures and stewardship efforts in Pacific parks.