Several earthquakes, shifting parts of the ground and the decreased levels of the lave lake at the Kilauea volcano are making scientists concerned that the volcano is ready for an eruption.
Seismologists and researchers currently in Hawaii are observing continuous changes in the pressure within Kilauea, which keeps an eruption within the realm of possibilities.
Over the past few days, United States Geological Survey researchers have monitored small earthquakes occurring at the highest rate recorded, with an earthquake happening once every couple of minutes.
According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory of the USGS, among the changes being seen in the activities at the summit of Kilauea is the dropping levels of the lava lake within the volcano's Halema'uma'u Crater and the earthquakes, which are concentrated in the caldera's southern portion and in the upper southwest rift zone.
Researchers and seismologists have also been studying the significant changes in the lava flow at the rim of the volcano's Overlook Crater, which is the vent of the summit. Over the recent few days, the summit and the tilt of its surface has been deformed, suggesting that magma coming from inside Kilauea is moving into shallow areas where the earthquakes are happening.
While the experts have no such means to predict the outcome of the event happening at Kilauea, the USGS believes that there are three possible scenarios.
The first scenario is that the magma will continue to accumulate in the southern caldera and the southwest rift zone, but there will be no eruption.
The second scenario is that the magma will continue to accumulate in the southern caldera which would lead to a rapid intrusion in the volcano's southwest rift zone, which could result in an eruption in the said zone, along with shallow earthquakes.
The third scenario is that the magma will continue to accumulate in the southern caldera and will rise up to the volcano's surface, erupting in the caldera or in the southwest rift zone. This would lead to stronger earthquakes and cracks in the ground.
However, it could take weeks, or even months, before the volcano's fate is determined. Eruption potential, however, could unfold in a matter of days to even hours.
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey | Flickr
