LIHUE — The eruption of Kilauea Volcano continued into 2025. During this ongoing eruption, it is necessary for residents to remain aware of the potential volcanic hazards that can impact the Hawaiian chain.
January is Volcano Awareness Month, and officials from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), in collaboration with partners at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo Geology Department, are pleased to promote awareness of Hawaii’s active volcanoes.
This year’s theme: Caldera-Forming Eruptions at Basaltic Volcanoes.
“Volcano Awareness Month happens every January here in Hawaii,” said Katie Mulliken, United States Geological Survey (USGS) scientist.
“Hawaii has five active volcanoes, Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Haleakala, and Mauna Kea, or six if you count the submarine volcano Kamaehuakanaloa (Loihi Seamount).
“Our volcanoes are frequently active, and earthquakes are common, so it is important to be aware of the volcanic and earthquake hazards that can impact you where you live in Hawaii.”
USGS, HVO, and partners will be hosting inspiring volcanic events across the island of Hawaii, inviting neighboring islands to join in the creativity of the Volcano Art and Poetry contest online.
“This year, USGS is asking for art and poetry submissions that recognize Hawaii’s dynamic volcanic landscapes,” added Mulliken, “All of Hawaii was created from volcanic activity and we look forward to art and poetry that recognizes that volcanic history and our changing landscapes.
“The entries will be on display at a scientific conference in Hilo in February next year, and it will be a great opportunity for residents to share your perspective on Hawaii’s volcanic history with volcano scientists from around the world,” added Mulliken.
Volcano scientists from around the world will gather in Hilo to assess the current understanding of caldera-forming rift eruptions— such as the one we are currently witnessing— Along with sharing insights, and identify critical questions.
The art and poetry will be a way to share how the community feels, sees, and interacts with Hawaii’s volcanoes, and encourage everyone throughout the Hawaiian chain to participate and increase awareness about Hawaii’s active volcanoes.
Mulliken also added that there are alternative ways for residents to become more involved; “One way community members can become involved in earth science in Hawaii is to report when they feel an earthquake,” she said “We feel a lot of earthquakes here in Hawaii, and our network of seismometers allows us to determine the magnitudes of the earthquakes.”
“Understanding how intense the shaking is from earthquakes is equally important, and we generate that from peoples’ felt reports. Felt reports help us to understand how earthquakes at different locations and depths can affect different areas in terms of shaking. So, the next time you feel an earthquake, you can report it,” she said.
Submissions for Volcano, Art, and Poetry contest are due on January 20. Entries will be notified by January 24 if they have been selected as winning in one of the categories. The winners in each category will be recognized in HVO’s weekly “Volcano Watch” article on January 30, 2025.
For questions/concerns about volcanoes or earthquakes on Hawaii, and to submit entries email, askHVO@usgs.gov.
To submit an earthquake felt in your area visit, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/.
