USGS: “Map of Kīlauea volcano showing the helicopter flight-line (green) block boundaries (red) for the geophysical survey that will be conducted from approximately July 5-25, 2022. Please see the schedule on the project webpage for the survey dates of each block. The survey will be conducted from air space over Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (boundary in white on the map), Hawaii State lands, and Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate lands. The survey aircraft will not fly over or collect any data from residential areas or other regions excluded by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park policies. All flights will occur during daylight hours and are coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure accordance with U.S. law. USGS map.”

(BIVN) – The U.S. Geological Survey airborne electromagnetic survey over unpopulated part of Kīlauea is taking place from July 5th to 25th, 2022. Scientists say the data collected will be used to image shallow upper (2,000 ft) magmatic structure, fault systems, and groundwater pathways over the volcano.

“This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157), which supports investigations into the current state of Kīlauea volcano following the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse,” the USGS says.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is hosting a community meeting about the survey at the Pāhoa Community Center on July 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

According to the USGS:

The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a helicopter geophysical survey over unpopulated parts of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi from July 5–25, 2022. The data will be collected with a 50 by 80-ft-oval-shaped, horizontal loop suspended 100 ft below a helicopter flying about 115-165 ft above the ground or treetops. The data will be used to image shallow (upper 2,000 ft) magmatic structure, fault systems, and groundwater pathways over Kīlauea.

The survey aircraft will not fly over or collect any data from residential areas or other regions excluded by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park policies. We understand that helicopter noise can be disruptive, so we will greatly appreciate affected residents’ patience and understanding as we collect this extremely important data to help mitigate future eruption hazards. Please see this website for more information.

Tentative Survey Schedule

• July 6, 2022: tentative survey start, FLT 1 and 2
• July 7: FLT 3 and 4, Public meeting at Pahoa Community Center: Meeting flier
• July 8: FLT 5 and 6
• July 9: FLT 7 and 8
• July 10: No flights
• July 11: FLT 9 – including Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera). USGS scientists will be stationed on the rim of the caldera at Uēkahuna overlook, Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff), and the overlook near Keanakāko‘i Crater to answer questions. FLT 10.
• July 12: FLT 11 and 12
• July 13: FLT 13 and 14
• July 14: FLT 15 and 16
• July 15: FLT 17 and 18
• After July 15, 6-7 survey flights will continue in lower Puna. These flights will be 2-3 hours in duration, with two flights likely occurring per day weather permitting.