A new gas vent opened at the Halema'uma'u crater creating a plume of sulfer dioxide gas.  The rate of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas was about 150 - 200 tonnes a day, but that has increased to about 600 - 1000 tonnes per day.


On March 19, 2008 there was a small explosion at the crater which scattered debris over 75 acres.  This was the first explosion at Halema`uma`u crater since 1924 and the first eruption of any kind in Kilauea caldera since September 1982.



Trade winds has pushed the gas and ash as far away as Pahala.  The gas is dangerous to people with respiratory problems.   Volcano observatory has issued a civil defense alert to parts of the Big Island residents.  Although evacuations have not be issued, civil defense has been preparing for that possibility.

Volcanic hazards have been published by the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN).  Click here to learn more about them.

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