Uncovering Lāna’i's hidden heat: geophysical insights on the subsurface hydrothermal activity of this Hawaiian island

The Hawaiian Islands, characterized by volcanic activity and complex hydrogeological systems, encounter energy challenges due to reliance on imported fossil fuels. Therefore, exploring geothermal sources is crucial for sustainable development, given the islands' isolation. Simultaneously, understanding freshwater reservoirs is vital for sustainable water resource management. This multidisciplinary study on L¿na¿i Island integrates geophysical, groundwater, and mineralogical data, unveiling insights into concealed deep hydrothermal activity and its heat source. Correlations observed in newly acquired self-potential (SP) data combined with earlier gravity and magnetotellurics (MT) data reveal the presence of a hydrothermal upflow, perhaps originating from deep magma reservoirs beneath the P¿l¿wai caldera. The concealed hydrothermal system emerges as a potential geothermal resource at >2 km depth, requiring further deep drilling research to confirm its presence. In addition, XRD analysis reveals varying degrees of hydrothermal alteration, indicating high temperatures during fluid-rock interactions. The alignment of surface alteration with current upflow zones suggests an active hydrothermal system persists in the caldera faults since the shield-building stage, which causes warm brackish water within the P¿l¿wai basin. This prompts a discussion about the possible presence of a geothermal resource. This subject has been under investigation for the past seven years as part of the Hawaii Play Fairway project. The impact of hydrothermal activity appears limited to the P¿l¿wai caldera and the Canyon zone, contrasting with the Munro Trail ridge area, which serves as an independent freshwater source with impounded aquifers. Understanding this convergence of geothermal investigation and freshwater reservoir analysis holds significant importance for fostering sustainability in the Hawaiian archipelago

Geophysical insights into magma plumbing system and subsurface hydrothermal activity of L¿na¿i volcano (Hawaiian Islands)

The Hawaiian Islands, renowned for their volcanic activity and intricate hydrogeological systems, face energy challenges due to their dependence on imported fossil fuels. Therefore, the exploration of geothermal sources is imperative for sustainable development, particularly considering the islands' isolation. Simultaneously, understanding freshwater reservoirs is crucial for effective water resource management. This multidisciplinary study on L¿na¿i Island integrates geophysical, groundwater, and mineralogical data, providing insights into the concealed deep hydrothermal activity and its magma plumbing system. Correlations observed in newly acquired self-potential (SP) data, alongside earlier gravity and magnetotellurics (MT) data, reveal the presence of a hydrothermal upflow, possibly originating from deep magma reservoirs beneath the P¿l¿wai caldera. This concealed hydrothermal system emerges as a potential geothermal resource at depths exceeding 2 km, necessitating further deep drilling research for verification. Additionally, XRD analysis indicates varying degrees of hydrothermal alteration, suggesting elevated temperatures during fluid-rock interactions. Surface alteration alignment with existing upflow zones implies persistent active hydrothermal system presence within caldera faults, contributing to warm brackish water occurrence in the P¿l¿wai basin. Our study introduces a high-density body (~ 3030 g/cm3) with a vertical fusiform shape, correlating with heightened conductivities detected via MT and SP methods, interpreted as the caldera's plumbing system. This finding suggests that post-caldera magma intrusions ¿without eruptions¿ from smaller reservoirs during younger periods may explain ongoing hydrothermal system activity. Grasping the convergence between the plumbing system and hydrothermal activity is of paramount importance for promoting sustainability across the Hawaiian archipelago and other volcanic islands worldwid

Transforming Giving: Insights from Donor Data Analysis for Community Healthcare

Students collaborated with a local non-profit healthcare organization to analyze trends in donor data, applying statistical and data analysis techniques to uncover meaningful insights that support evidence-based decision-making in fundraising. This project explored key trends and addressed challenges in working with real-world healthcare donor data. The findings highlight the role of data science in driving positive change in community health while providing students with hands-on experience in applied analytics