In 1912, with support from the Hawaiian Volcano Research Association (HVRA) and the Whitney Fund of MIT, Thomas Jaggar established the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) to study the activity of Mauna Loa and Kilauea Volcanoes on a permanent, scientific basis. "Volcanology" emerged as a modern science with the founding of the HVO, which between 1912 and 1948 was managed by the HVRA, the U.S. Weather Bureau, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Park Service. Since 1948, it has been operated by the USGS. During the past 75 years of research, HVO scientists have developed and refined most of the surveillance techniques now commonly employed by volcano observatories worldwide. From Volcano Monitoring and Research. Photograph by J.D. Griggs.
For details about equipment deployed at specific volcanoes in Hawaii visit the WOVO Directory.
Scott Rowland's Working on Hawaiian Volcanoes provides more information on the methods used to monitor active volcanoes.
Mauna Loa is a Decade Volcano under a project which began as part of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).
Contact information:
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) United States Geological Survey P.O. Box 51 Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718 USA Telephone: (1) 808-967-7328 Telefax: (1) 808-967-8890 Scientist in charge: Dr. Donald SwansonBack to the main WOVO North America page
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