The incidence of hydrogen sulfide at Kilauea solfatara preceding the 1940 Mauna Loa volcanic activity
Payne JH and Ballard S. 1940. The incidence of hydrogen sulfide at Kilauea solfatara preceding the 1940 Mauna Loa volcanic activity. Science. 92(2384):218-219
Gases from Kilauea's Sulphur Bank were found over a 2-yr period to consist predominantly of steam. The remaining gas analyzed to 85-98 percent CO2, 1-15 percent SO2, and approximately 1 percent air. Mauna Loa became active on April 7, 1940. H2S appeared first at Sulphur Bank on March 14, was still present on April 11 and 21, but was absent in collections on May 10 and June 18, although Mauna Loa was still erupting. The appearance of H2S may be a premonitory sign of impending volcanic activity. [This is the first suggestion of H2S as a precursor to eruption. Subsequent study has not proven it to be a reliable precursor, although there are indications of premonitory H2S release before some eruptions.]
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Payne, J; Ballard, S
- Units
- HAVO
- Keywords
- 1940, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Chemical Analysis, Fumarole, Hawaii (Big Island), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Kilauea Volcano, Mauna Loa Volcano, Mokuaweoweo Caldera, Precursor, Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Sulphur Bank, Volcanic Eruption