Measuring Lava Effusion Rates at Kilauea Volcano
The effusion rate of lava during a volcanic eruption is of fundamental importance in volcanology, given its direct association with hazards. In basaltic systems, like those of Hawaii, effusion rate exerts a primary control on lava flow length and is a critical input to models of lava flow development and path forecasting. Unfortunately, since 2008 traditional measurements of lava effusion have not been possible at Kilauea volcano, which has been erupting since 1983 and is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.