Active Volcano Monitoring: Highlighting the Excellence of Dick Fiske, a Notable Figure at HVO
Remembering Dick Fiske: Pioneering Geologist of Kilauea Volcano
Dick Fiske, a renowned geologist who dedicated much of his career to studying the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), passed away on June 18, nearing his 93rd birthday. Fiske's groundbreaking work on Kilauea volcano, which began in the mid-1960s, continues to influence volcanology today.
In 1965, Fiske and his family arrived at HVO in time for a small eruption in Alo'i Crater. His fascination with Kilauea ignited, Fiske spent the next few years constructing physical models of Mauna Loa and Kilauea to study their deformation. His early research on Kilauea predated space-based volcano measurements, making his work all the more remarkable.
Fiske served as a geologist at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory from 1965-1968. During this time, he developed a keen interest in understanding the Koa'e fault system and established leveling lines and fault-monitoring stations for this purpose. Many of these stations are still used today by University of Hawaii at Hilo researchers.
After leaving HVO, Fiske continued his research on Kilauea volcano for the rest of his career at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. He returned to Kilauea annually in the late 1980s to refurbish and measure leveling lines across the Koaʻe. His work contributed to the current interpretation that Kilauea can be an explosive volcano, not just one that erupts lava flows.
Kilauea has been erupting episodically within the summit caldera since December 23, 2024, with a USGS Volcano Alert level of WATCH. The summit region has been inflating since the end of episode 32 of its current eruption, suggesting another episode is possible. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes of Kilauea. No unusual activity has been noted along Kilauea's East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.
Two earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.0 earthquake and a M2.7 earthquake. Mauna Loa, another active volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, is not erupting, with a USGS Volcano Alert Level of NORMAL.
Fiske's impact on volcanology extends beyond Kilauea. In 1980, he enabled the author to use a Smithsonian electronic instrument (Geodimeter) to measure the movement of Mount St. Helens. His invitation for the author to join his research at Kilauea in the early 1990s ultimately led to the author's return to the HVO staff later that decade.
Fiske's legacy lives on in the continued use of the leveling and fault-monitoring stations he established, and in the understanding we have today of Kilauea's complex and dynamic nature. His pioneering work will continue to inspire future generations of volcanologists.
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