Rest assured that our experienced team has robust policies, procedures, gear and food in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We’ll keep you up to date if anything changes, but If you would like to look into updates on your own, or find more information, you can go to the following USGS web pages: Kilauea Volcano Info and Kilauea Updates.
Of course if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out: 808-747-4589
Volcano Update
Kilauea Eruption Update
UPDATED SEPT 17,2024
Activity Summary: Kiluea Volcano is erupting. The eruption is occurring in a remote area of Volcanoes National Park, near Makaopuhi Crater, and does not pose a risk to life or infrastructure. Chain of Craters Road inside of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is closed to all use due to heightened gas emissions and volcanic unrest. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has raised the hazard alert level from Advisory to Watch.
Current volcanic activity remains contained within the National Park and has no effect on Pacific Quest or programming.
Kilauea Volcano was continuously active between 1983 and 2016, and has been sporadically active since; Pacific Quest staff is very aware and informed about its activity.
In Hawai’i, lava flow is revered, and Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes and creator of the land, is a significant figure in Hawaiian culture. People from around the world come to Hawai’i to see and celebrate this awesome feature of the island. At Pacific Quest, we teach and celebrate the significance and the history of volcanoes in the culture and the landscape of Hawai’i.
As always, the safety of our residents and staff is our top priority. We will continue to monitor volcanic activity and will post updates here if there are any changes.
Additional Context
The Big Island of Hawai’i is the largest island in the United States. At over 4,000 square miles, it is larger than Delaware, Rhode Island, and Washington DC combined. The Big Island has two active volcanoes. Kilauea (the most active of the two) has been nearly continuously erupting for over 100 years. The other is Mauna Loa which last erupted for a few weeks in 2022. Since 2004 we’ve experienced several volcanic related events — in all cases our operations were not affected.
Where is the Lava?
Far away from our campus.
The USGS reports that current activity is confined to Kilueaʻs middle East Rift Zone, within the Hawaii Volcanoʻs Park.
Here is a link to a map: Kilauea middle East Rift Zone reference map
Is there a risk of a larger eruption like Mt St Helens?
No. Both Kilauea and Mauna Loa are shield volcanos, and unlike a stratovolcano, they are not at risk of large scale violent eruptions.
Volcanos are rated by the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The scale is between 0-10 and all Hawaiian volcanos are rated as zero (0).
Hawaii is home to the most studied and monitored volcanic system in the world, and even has it’s own sub-classification (Hawaiian Eruption) defined by it’s gentle flow and eruptive nature.
What about Air Quality
Operating near a volcano in the Pacific has always meant that our air quality can vary based on conditions. It is important to note that the air quality on Hawaii Island is still better than many places around the world. Here is a map of the current Air Quality Index. Air on Hawai’i Island is most typically between “Good” and “Moderate.”
The term ‘vog’ refers to the hazy air pollution caused by the volcanic emissions from Kīlauea & Mauna Loa volcanos, which are primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas. The trade winds blow most VOG from Kilauea to the Kona side of the island and other islands, such as Oahu. We are monitoring SO2 levels and these also most commonly fluctuate between “Good” and “Moderate.”
This effect is a result of Lava coming into contact with saltwater, and is isolated to the immediate area surrounding where an active lava flow enters the ocean — when this has happened, it has been far away from our campuses.
We closely monitor fpr instances of wind-driven ash from any eruption. We are prepared to move to indoor programming if there is a need at any time.
Keep Up to Date
Rest assured that our experienced team has robust policies, procedures, gear and food in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We’ll keep you up to date if anything changes, but If you would like to look into updates on your own, or find more information, you can go to the following USGS web pages: Kilauea Volcano Info and Kilauea Updates.
Of course if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out: 808-747-4589
Kilauea Volcano
Key Details
Hawaii Volcanos National Park page