The Hawaiian Volcanoes Supersite: Open data for the benefit of science and society

Bulletin of Volcanology
By: , and 

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Abstract

The Hawaiian Volcanoes Supersite was established in 2008 with the goal of making large amounts of volcano monitoring data, especially satellite measurements, freely available at a site of international interest, scientific importance, and impactful natural hazards. The location was chosen because of the long history of volcanological research and innovation on the Island of Hawaiʻi, as well as the need for monitoring, assessing, and mitigating volcanic hazards for the local population. Ground-based data are provided by the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and several national space agencies have contributed thousands of satellite synthetic aperture radar and other data that would have otherwise required special grants or commercial purchase. Since the Hawaiian Volcanoes Supersite was initiated, the vast quantity of open space-based data has resulted in the development of new applications and methodologies, successful responses to volcanic crises, and research that has informed monitoring and hazards mitigation activities. While there remain opportunities for additional coordination among supersite users and for synergistic studies that make use of the full spectrum of available ground- and space-based data, the Hawaiian Volcanoes Supersite has achieved its goals of stimulating basic research to better understand Hawaiian volcanism and aiding in responses to hazardous geologic processes. The effort serves as a model for the benefits of open, low-latency, and comprehensive satellite data applied to disaster risk management and reduction, meeting a vision that has been laid out repeatedly in international agreements and accords.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The Hawaiian Volcanoes Supersite: Open data for the benefit of science and society
Series title Bulletin of Volcanology
DOI 10.1007/s00445-025-01895-0
Volume 87
Publication Date November 28, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Volcano Science Center
Description 123, 22 p.
Country United States
State Hawaii
Other Geospatial Island of Hawaii
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