Halema`uma`u crater erupts in Hawaii, USA
{{date|April 19, 2008}}

[[Image:Rainbow and sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema`uma`u vent.jpg|
[[w:Rainbow|Rainbow]] and sulfur dioxide emissions from Halema{{okina}}uma{{okina}}u vent.|thumb|300px]] [[Image:Sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema`uma`u vent, glows at night.jpg|Sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema{{okina}}uma{{okina}}u vent, glows at night|thumb|right|300px]]   
What began as a new gas vent ([[wikt:fumarole|fumarole]]) in [[w:Halema`uma`u crater|Halema{{okina}}uma{{okina}}u crater]] sometime between March 10 and March 12 2008, has progressed to be the first explosive eruption in Halema{{okina}}uma{{okina}}u Crater since 1924, and the first lava erupted from the crater since 1982. The gases accompanying the eruption have prompted the Hawai{{okina}}i Dept. of Health to announce no-burn days for the island sugar cane industries.

The March 19 explosion of the gas vent partially destroyed the Halema{{okina}}uma{{okina}}u Crater Overlook. On April 9 2008, thousands of people were evacuated from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the nearby villages because [[w:sulfur dioxide|sulfur dioxide]] reached critical levels creating a very dangerous [[wikt:vog|vog]]. The evacuation lasted two days. Two more explosions occurred on April 9 2008 and April 16 2008, the latter spreading a faintly pink ash on the Overlook parking lot. Scientists think molten [[w:lava|lava]] may reside at a shallow depth within the new vent.

Halema{{okina}}uma{{okina}}u  is a [[w:pit crater|pit crater]] located in the [[wikt:caldera|summit caldera]], of [[w:Kīlauea|Kīlauea]], [[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]] [[w:Hawaii Volcanoes National Park|Volcanoes National Park]]. The roughly circular caldera measures 3x5 km (or 6x6 km, including the outermost ring faults). According to the traditions of the native people, Halema{{okina}}uma{{okina}}u is home to [[w:Pele (deity)|Pele]], Goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes. 

==Gallery==
<Gallery>
Image:Sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema`uma`u vent 04-08-1.jpg
Image:Sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema`uma`u vent 04-08-2.jpg
Image:Sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema`uma`u vent 4-14-08-4.jpg
Image:Rainbow and sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema`uma`u vent 4-14-08-5.jpg
Image:Sulfur dioxide emissions from the Halema`uma`u vent 4-14-08-6.jpg
</Gallery>

{{haveyoursay}}

== Sources ==
{{original}}
* {{source
|url=http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/04/19/news/news01.txt
|title=Kaua{{okina}}i’s hazy skies evidence of volcano
|pub=Kauaiworld.com
|date=April 19, 2008}}
*{{source-pr|url=http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php
|title=Recent Kilauea Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases
|pub=United States Geological Survey
|date=accessed on April 18, 2008}}
* {{source
|url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080417/NEWS0101/804170339/1003/LOCALNEWSFRONT
|title=Volcano spews burst of pink ash
|pub=Honolulu Advertiser.com
|date=April 17, 2008}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Hawaii]]
[[Category:Environment]]
[[Category:Volcanoes]]
[[Category:Kīlauea]]
Rainbow and sulfur dioxide emissions from Halemaumau vent.|thumb|300px 300px   
What began as a new gas vent (fumarole) in Halemaumau crater sometime between March 10 and March 12 2008, has progressed to be the first explosive eruption in Halemaumau Crater since 1924, and the first lava erupted from the crater since 1982. The gases accompanying the eruption have prompted the Hawaii Dept. of Health to announce no-burn days for the island sugar cane industries.

The March 19 explosion of the gas vent partially destroyed the Halemaumau Crater Overlook. On April 9 2008, thousands of people were evacuated from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the nearby villages because sulfur dioxide reached critical levels creating a very dangerous vog. The evacuation lasted two days. Two more explosions occurred on April 9 2008 and April 16 2008, the latter spreading a faintly pink ash on the Overlook parking lot. Scientists think molten lava may reside at a shallow depth within the new vent.

Halemaumau  is a pit crater located in the summit caldera, of Kīlauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The roughly circular caldera measures 3x5 km (or 6x6 km, including the outermost ring faults). According to the traditions of the native people, Halemaumau is home to Pele, Goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes.
United States Hawaii Environment Volcanoes Kīlauea