Who monitors volcanic gases emitted by Kīlauea?
As part of its mission to monitor eruptions and assess volcanic hazards, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) determines the amount and composition of gases emitted by Kīlauea Volcano. Changes in gas emissions can reveal important clues about the inner workings of a volcano, so they are measured on a regular basis. How these measurements are made is addressed below. HVO scientists share scientific data and work closely with officials from other government agencies responsible for making decisions regarding public safety, including Hawai`i County Civil Defense and Hawai`i State Department of Health.
