Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes

The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV), on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, operates out of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. The Center is a training and outreach program founded by Robert W. Decker. CSAV's mission is to provide information on volcanic and natural hazards that occur in Hawaiʻi and worldwide. CSAV has been operating since 1989, and is a cooperative program of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM).

Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A man sits at his desk, looking at a computerCSAV Director Don Thomas presents a remote lecture about his groundwater research.

A woman looks at images on a computerDarcy Bevens works from home, writing captions for digital slide photos.

A man checks messages on his computerDavid Carvalho prepares to enter data on the RCUH site, using his home computer.

Updates about Natural Hazards: Stay informed!

Find out about current alerts, and how to prepare, at Hawaii County Civil Defense. Get eruption updates from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Go to the Vog Information Dashboard for details about vog.

Points of Interest for you to enjoy

Closeup of map
CSAV is digitally archiving old slides and the Volcano House Register!

CSAV en español
CSAV in Spanish! Enjoy our Spanish version!

SmugMug logo against horizon at dusk
Visit our SmugMug Gallery for high-res photos of volcanoes!

Lava flow with youtube logo on top of it
Visit our CSAV channel on YouTube for dozens of outstanding mini videos!

Vimeo logo superimposed on glowing caldera
YouTube not available? CSAV Channel is up and running on Vimeo!

CSAV Facebook logo
Keep up-to-date on Facebook for CSAV events & hazard updates.

Flood in Pahala
Visit Natural Hazards and protect yourself from floods, earthquakes, etc!

Robert Decker
Read about the Robert Decker Endowment Fund!

Lightning
Why is there Lightning and a waterspout in this eruption? Find out!

Kalapana lava flows, as seen by bicyclists, 1990 and 2010

Residents on bicycles watch a lava flowResidents watch as lava covers the intersection of Highways 130 & 137 in Kalapana, 17 July 2010.

Residents on bicycles watch a lava flowLava advances towards a roadway in Kalapana, 1990. Photo credit: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.