During the month of January 2012, Hawai‘i Island residents and visitors are invited to participate in a number of events to learn more about the volcanoes on which they live, work, and play. These events are part of Hawai‘i Island’s 3rd annual Volcano Awareness Month and a celebration of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s 100th anniversary.
Throughout the month, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, in cooperation with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, will offer talks in both East and West Hawai‘i, weekly guided hikes in the park, and other informative programs to promote awareness of Hawai‘i’s active volcanoes and the importance of understanding how volcanoes and earthquakes can impact our island home.
HVO will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding with an Open House on Saturday, January 21. Residents and visitors are invited to tour the observatory—not ordinarily open to the public—to see how volcanic and earthquake activity is monitored. HVO staff will be available to answer questions about Hawai‘i’s volcanoes and to provide demonstrations about their work. HVO is located in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park next to the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, named for the geologist who founded HVO in 1912.
A complete schedule of all Volcano Awareness Month and HVO centennial events, including descriptions, dates, times, and locations, are posted on the HVO website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov). Email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 808-967-8844 for more information.
Jim Kauahikaua, HVO’s Scientist-in-Charge, encourages everyone to participate in one or more of the events offered in January. “Volcanoes are an important part of life on Hawai‘i Island, and all of us who live here must learn to live safely within the dynamics of an ever-changing volcanic environment.” He adds that the centennial open house is an opportunity to interact with USGS HVO scientists and learn how they monitor Hawai‘i’s active volcanoes.
For more information about Hawaiian volcanoes, Volcano Awareness Month, and HVO’s centennial, please visit the HVO website at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
