Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
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The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is the volcano observatory in Hawai‘i that monitors the four active Hawaiian volcanoes: Kīlauea, Mauna Loa, Hualālai, and Haleakalā. Because Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are significantly more active than Hualālai and Haleakalā, much of the observatory's research is concentrated on the former two mountains. The observatory has a worldwide reputation as a leader in the study of active volcanism. Due to the relatively non-explosive nature of Hawaiian volcanic eruptions, scientists are able to study on-going eruptions in proximity without being in extreme danger.
The observatory's building is located on the rim of Kīlauea Caldera on Kīlauea. It was founded in 1912 by Thomas Jaggar. From 1912 until 1919, the observatory was run by Jaggar personally. In 1919, Jaggar convinced the National Weather Service to take over operations at the observatory. In 1924, the observatory was taken over by the US Geological Survey and it has been run by the USGS ever since (except for a brief period during the Great Depression, when the observatory was run by the National Park Service).
While the main Observatory building itself is not normally open to the public, the adjacent Jaggar Museum includes interpretive exhibits on the work done at the Observatory, and there is a public observation deck overlooking the Kīlauea Caldera.
