University of Hawaii seeks to double area for geothermal surveys
Steam plume at Volcano National Park - Kona, Hawaii (Source: Flickr, CC, By: Adam)
Alexander Richter
8 Tem 2015
"The request would increase the number of locations permitted for non-invasive geophysical study along the Hualalai Rift Zone, just north of Kailua-Kona, from nine to 19."
Earlier this year in the island of Hawaii, it was announced that the district of Kona will start geothermal exploration, thanks to the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, which obtained a Geothermal Exploration Permit to start doing surveys.
The institute seeks now to increase the number survey sites to more than double and has sent a formal request to thee Department of Land and Natural Resources According to local news sources, “Donald Thomas, director of The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes at UH-Hilo, said part of the rationale behind the request is to avoid costly environmental assessments.”
The University’s Institute has a limited budget to conduct said surveys, therefore they are looking at optimising the given resources and abandon some areas and explore other that do not require environmental assessments. “The request would increase the number of locations permitted for non-invasive geophysical study along the Hualalai Rift Zone, just north of Kailua-Kona, from nine to 19.”
An answer for the formal request could come at the end of the week.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald
