UH Hilo playing vital role in response to historic eruption

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Narrator: The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is playing a vital role in the response to
the volcanic eruption on Hawaiʻi Island.
UH Hilo professors, scientists and students are providing valuable expertise and resources
in assisting in the response to the risk to the geothermal power plant, mapping lava flows
with drones, real time chemical analysis of lava samples, and more.
Narrator: The Hilo campus also opened its doors to the U.S Geological Survey Hawaiian
Volcano Observatory after the eruption closed the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The U.S. Geological Survey, or USGS, is the source of information for county and state
emergency officials when it comes to volcanic and earthquake hazards.
Ken Hon: When they found they had to evacuate their building, we were happy to make space
for them.
Ed Brown: UH Hilo has been a phenomenal resource for us.
Theyʻve provided space, they have provided infrastructure so we can put our communications
systems in.
Extra staff.
Narrator: UH Hilo is also providing another vital resource to USGS—highly qualified
employees.
Three UH Hilo graduates are among the approximately two dozen USGS personnel working around
the clock to gather and analyze up-to-the-minute information on the eruption and lava flows.
Katherine Mulliken: Seeing UH Hilo open up their doors to the USGS who canʻt occupy
their buildings right now is just really reflective, I think, of Hawaiʻi in general.
Like, everyone wants to help out and really come together.
Narrator: UH Hilo has a longstanding relationship with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,
which for years has providing students with internships and other opportunities to engage
in the monitoring of an active volcano.

UH Hilo playing vital role in response to historic eruption

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