A geotechniques-based exploratory investigation of vog impacts to the environmental system on Hawai'i island.

Abstract

Hawai'i Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding regions on Hawai'i Hawai'i Island were chosen for the research site because the basaltic volcanism taking place is significant, and relevant data concerning many environmental variables are readily available. Specifically, changes to spatial and temporal trends in precipitation and surface temperature as well as negative impacts to vegetation health due to volcanic emissions (vog) from Kilauea Volcano are investigated using exploratory statistics, a geographical information system (GIS), and remote sensing techniques. Results were inconclusive concerning possible vog impacts to vegetation health; but the study's findings do support the hypothesis that the vog is influencing both rainfall and temperature trends and patterns for Hawai'i Hawai'i Island.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the direct and indirect impacts of gases produced by basaltic volcanism on interactions between environmental systems. Related studies of natural hazards have been performed involving explosive, composite volcanic eruptions, including the Mt. St. Helens, El Chichon, and Mt. Pinatubo eruptions to determine if they contributed to global cooling among other environmental impacts. Unlike these previous studies that emphasized impacts of volcanic gases in the stratosphere, this research will examine the possible long-term effects on Hawai'i Hawai'i Island's environmental system due to sulfur gases (and resulting sulfate aerosols) released by a non-explosive eruption into the troposphere. Although basaltic events may not be as dynamic as composite eruptions, they can eject significantly greater amounts of sulfur into the atmosphere than a more silicic magma of the same volume. This is important because changes in environmental factors have been attributed to a larger than normal presence of sulfur compounds in the atmosphere.