Thursday, January 14, 2021. (another) Object of My Obsessions...

And the clear weather continues.  As do calm winds, and the blanket of polalauahi too:  seems Hilo feels...more humid... or something when winds are light and variable, and one canʻt see clearly.  And friends in Kona ʻAkau (North Kona) felt a malaise, though the source became apparent when they realized...

Looking around up here became easier, and for some, reassuring, when HVO staff installed another webcam.  The latest, viewable at 

West Vent "S1cam"

allows us to check in (sometimes too frequently) to see what Pele is doing.  Images are captured, as far as I can tell, every 10 minutes.

Kinda interesting to watch shadows, varying qualities of light, uahi ʻawa wafted by breezes, etc.  The 917a image just above looks a bit washed out, but...silvery satiny skin (ʻili pāhoehoe) is visible where the flow meets the crust and fans out in ripples.  The moku (now paʻa, or firmly fixed), along with its satellites to the right, doesnʻt look too impressive, but...moku nui has a peak elevation of 75ʻ above the surface of loko ahi, and measures approximately 800ft x 450ft, with an area of 7 acres.  

Above, [ʻili] refers to the surface of the loko ahi, much as ʻilikai is the surface of the sea, or ʻili hau is the "skin" or bark of hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus), a Polynesian introduction to Hawaiʻi.  Fiber layers under the bark, when processed, is a favorite cordage for stringing pua kou, tying, wrapping, etc.  Easy and fun to fashion.  And free.  No need buy raffia!

The evolution of the loko ahi, and the lana au-ing (drifting) of moku (islands) is vividly demonstrated below, posted on the HVO Maps link:

Loko ahi: Dec 21, 2020 to Jan 12, 2021

This compilation shows nine thermal maps created for the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, which began on December 20, 2020. The maps show the rapid emplacement and growth of the lake in the initial days, followed by a switch in the dominant vent from the north fissure to the west fissure on December 26. The main island shifts and rotates, presumably controlled by the lake currents. The last two maps (Jan 7 and 12) shows the stagnation and cooling of the eastern half of the lake surface. The color range shows the relative temperatures across the lake, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures. USGS maps by M. Patrick.

More awesome info from HVO Staff!  Mahalo piha!

The UPDATE:

And up/down/up Tilting:

TILT and Deformation

Note please, again, that scale matters.  Top = Two Days, and Tenths of Microradians.  Up close and short term looks concerning and a bit scary, but stepping back should be reassuring:  

Of what, Iʻm not sure anyone knows.  This is RightNow info.  No one can say whatʻll happen...

But as far as the cool heights of Keaʻau ma uka, and Volcano, itʻs camellia time.  For certain.  GoLook.  This, an old-fashioned single bloom, from a friends yard:

so nani...

Time to take advantage of the fine day and lala...bask in the sun, and acquire vitamin D.

Be well.  Wear Mask, No Gather, Wash Hands, etc...

As always, with aloha,

BobbyC

maniniowali@gmail.com