(BIVN) – A new data release posted to the United States Geological Survey website delves into volcanic ash leachate, catchment and rainwater chemistry from the increased activity of Kīlauea Volcano in 2018.

The ash leachates – which increased this summer during the eruption that began in May – are generally acidic, which could irritate eyes and skin, and corrode metal roofing or pipes, the scientists said.

Presently, Kilauea Volcano is not erupting. Rates of seismicity, deformation, and sulfur dioxide gas emissions are low and have not changed significantly in the past week, scientists reported on October 9. Low sulfur dioxide gas emissions on Kīlauea have resulted in greatly diminished vog on Hawaiʻi Island, “giving rise to spectacular views on the island”, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory wrote in an image post Monday.

HVO scientists are only posting Kīlauea activity updates once per week now that the Volcano Alert Level has dropped from a WATCH to an ADVISORY. However, new products reviewing the recent volcanic activity continue to be published to the USGS website.

The new leachate data were “obtained to aid local health, environmental, and agricultural support agencies in their evaluation of potential hazards posed by the increase in volcanic ashfall” during the eruption, the USGS says. “These data are preliminary and eruption monitoring is ongoing.”

From the Summary of the USGS product: