The most recent news from Halema`uma`u crater is the return of the glow! The lava pond level has risen to the point where there is a soft, warm glow from the vent that is visible at night. Of course, a higher lava level doesn't mean an imminent eruption, so don't worry. On Monday night, a few dorm kids and I drove to the crater overlook near the Jaggar museum to enjoy the glow. Check out the lava pond on June 3rd. This churning a few months ago was preceded by a glow, so we're hoping to see more churning soon!
The most beautiful aspect of Monday night was, in my perspective, the contrast between the crisp and clear star-lit sky to the northeast and the amorphous glow through the plume and clouds in the crater to the southwest. It was too dark to get a picture that any of you would appreciate, but take my word for it - the night was gorgeous. The residents of Hilo purposely dim their lights every night to make the astronomers on Mauna Kea happy. You can imagine the result: shooting stars galore.
Fun fact: Did you know that, to the ancient Egyptians, Vega was the North Star?
In other news, today was my third work day in the HVO library, and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. Every Monday there's a meeting with the entire staff to go over the previous week's volcanic activity, so at the meeting for this week my boss introduced me to everyone. It's a close-knit community here, and I already feel like I'm part of it (well, almost). At lunch some of the staff play a spirited Japanese card game called Hana Fuda, and they get so worked up over it that I'm really tempted to join in sometime.
My favorite part of working at the HVO is the conversations I have with my library boss, Jane. She's already such a mentor to me - yesterday I asked her for advice about my grad school situation, and today she said she wished her son would find a girl with a personality similar to mine (but don't worry, Kevin! She knows I'm taken). Today we had a hour-long talk about different styles of cooking, and sometime she's going to introduce me to a world-famous bookbinder who lives in Hawai`i.
It's fantastic to be in an environment where she just tells me what she wants me to do and then trusts that I can do it well. I also really enjoy feeling like my book-repairing skills are needed.
Yesterday I passed the breathing test required to wear a respirator and enter the caldera! It was a little nerve-wracking beforehand because I was thinking "If I don't pass this test, how can I hope to work as a volcanologist?" I've been worried this entire time that my asthma would act up due to the elevated SO2 levels and would ruin my chances of researching (and living, I guess). Apparently my lungs are just as good as anyone else's!
If any of you make it to the end of this post, here's my mailing address at the HVO:
Lauren Colwell
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
P.O. Box 51
Hawai`i National Park, HI 96718
I love snail mail (I'm not sure about larger packages, though). Do it.
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