USGS Volcanoes: Notices released in the last day.

Slow eruption of lava continues. Minor seismicity was detected over the past day. Typical slightly elevated surface temperatures were observed in satellite data. 

The current eruption began in July 2021 and, since then, lava flows have filled most of the summit crater and advanced into valleys below. There have been no explosions at Great Sitkin Volcano since an event in May 2021. The volcano is monitored using local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, webcams, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.

Occasional earthquakes continued over the past day. Nothing was observed in clear to partly cloudy satellite views of the volcano.  

There is no real-time geophysical monitoring network at Mount Kupreanof. The closest functioning seismometers are approximately 17 miles (27 km) to the east of the volcano as part of the Mount Veniaminof network. Mount Kupreanof is also monitored by satellite data, remote infrasound and lightning networks, and visual observations from pilots and mariners passing by the volcano. 

Unrest continues. Minor seismic activity and infrasound were detected at the volcano. Satellite data from the past day showed typical sulfur dioxide emissions and web cam images showed a steam and gas plume from the summit.  

Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a geodetic network are used to monitor Shishaldin Volcano. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lightning data, and satellite images to detect eruptions. 

Overview:

The summit eruption of Kīlauea in Halemaʻumaʻu remains paused following the end of episode 48 on June 1, 2026. Tiltmeters around the summit of Kīlauea have measured inflation since the end of episode 48, indicating that episode 49 of lava fountaining is likely; forecast models indicate that the onset of fountaining episode 49 is likely to occur between June 12-15. Glow was visible at the vents overnight and robust degassing plumes are visibly emanating from both vents in Halemaʻumaʻu during the day. 

No significant activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

NOTE: Significant changes in activity between Daily Updates are posted here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages

Summit Observations:

Strong glow and occasional spatter was visible from the south vent in Halemaʻumaʻu overnight along with periodic flaming, likely caused by the ignition of volcanic gases escaping the vent. Continuous glow was visible from the north vent. Lava was visible in the south vent during a helicopter overflight yesterday. Robust degassing plumes are visibly emanating from both vents in Halemaʻumaʻu during the day. 

Low level tremor related to the active vents continues to be recorded across summit seismometers. 

The UWD tiltmeter located near Uēkahuna at Kīlauea summit recorded a total of 17.1 microradians of deflationary tilt during episode 48. Once the episode ended, inflation resumed and UWD has since recovered 13.5 microradians of inflationary tilt. 

During inter-episode pauses, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rates from the summit typically vary between 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes per day. 

Rift Zone Observations:

Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain low in the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. SO₂ emissions from the East Rift Zone remain below the detection limit.

Analysis:

Continued repose period inflation, tremor, and glow from the vents all indicate that episode 49 is likely. Forecast models based on Kīlauea summit region inflation rates suggest that the start of fountaining episode 49 could occur between June 12-15. Forecast models are subject to change as more monitoring data are collected with each day and incorporated into the models. 

Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u. Lava fountaining episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be longer than three weeks.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency about eruptive hazards.

Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Summary of episode 48:

A detailed account of episode 48 is given in the HVO Status Report Issued June 1: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans-public/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-02T00:33:02+00:00

• Episode 48 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at the summit of Kīlauea at 4:40 a.m. HST and ended abruptly at 1:37 p.m. HST on June 1, 2026, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining from the north vent. Lava fountains reached a maximum height of almost 650 ft (200 m) and lava flows covered 40% of the crater floor. The eruption is currently paused.
• The Halemaʻumaʻu eruption now has the most fountaining episodes ever recorded for an episodic fountaining eruption, edging out the Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption which had 47 fountain episodes. Other eruptions have had additional episodes related to changes in vent activity and location, this only applies to episodic fountains.
• Most tephra fell within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, but sparse reticulite up to 1 inch (2 centimeters) in size fell at both the Uēkahuna overlook and on Highway 11 west of Nāmakanipaio campground. Fine ash and Peleʻs hair was reported from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in communities to the northeast, including Mauna Loa Estates, Ohia Estates, Volcano village, and Royal Hawaiian Estates.

Resources:

NOTE: Several summit stations, including the SDH tiltmeter, remain offline until we are able to re-establish access across the deep tephra field southwest of the caldera.

The following links provide more information about the current eruption that began on December 23, 2024:

• Eruption resources, including the most recent map and a timeline of eruption episodes since December 23, 2024: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/eruption-information
• Short messages tracking the evolution of the lava fountains and eruptive activity can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages
• Three Kīlauea summit livestream cameras that show eruptive lava fountains are available here: https://www.youtube.com/@usgs/streams
• Summit eruption webcams: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit-webcams
• Volcano Watch article on gas pistons: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-so-what-earth-or-least-kilauea-a-gas-piston

Hazards:

This episodic eruption is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

• Volcanic Gas: high levels of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)—are continually released during an eruption. Emissions can remain locally hazardous in the areas immediately downwind of the vents, even when the vents are not actively erupting. SO₂ reacts in the atmosphere to create vog (volcanic air pollution) downwind. SO₂ and vog may cause respiratory and other problems at high concentrations. Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
• Tephra: small glassy volcanic fragments—volcanic ash, pumice, scoria, Pele’s hair and reticulite—are created by the lava fountains. A combination of fountaining dynamics and wind conditions determines where tephra fall may occur for any given eruption episode. Larger particles fall near the vents while light particles may be wafted greater distances. These particles may be remobilized during windy conditions following recent eruptive episodes. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to these fragments, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. More information and guidance on tephra fall hazards is available at https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/resource-and-guidance-for-volcanic-tephra-fall/
• Lava flows: lava on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea's summit caldera, remains hot and may slowly move in the days immediately following an eruptive episode.

Other significant hazards exist around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes. Close to the eruptive vents, the tephra material on the crater rim is prone to cracking, slumping, and small landslides that sometimes expose hot and molten material within. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of Kīlauea's caldera rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since late 2007.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT 

On Tuesday, June 9, 10:37 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.7 earthquake occurred 14 mi (23 km) east of Pāpa‘ikou on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 24 mi (39 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes. 

The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the Pacific plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area. These earthquakes are generated below the volcanoes and the ocean crust in the upper mantle beneath the Hawaiian Islands. The earthquake today is similar in origin but unrelated to the magnitude-6 that occurred on May 22 and the magnitude-4.6 that occurred on June 2 on the west side of the island. All of these earthquakes are likely related to stress from the weight of the island on the underlying rigid mantle and were not directly related to volcanic processes or magma movement. Light shaking was reported during this event, which is not expected to cause damage. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes. 

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION 

• Magnitude: 4.7 
• Date and Time: June 9, 2026, at 10:37 p.m. HST 
• Location: 14 mi (23 km) E of Pāpa‘ikou 
• Depth: 24 mi (39 km) below sea level 
• Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks 

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY AND AFFECTED AREA 

• Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity 
• Maximum Intensity, Modified Mercalli Scale (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale) 
• Community-reported: IV - light shaking 
• Instrument-derived: IV - light shaking 
• Felt Reports: More than 716 within the first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) 
• Felt Area: Across the Island of Hawaiʻi, with some reports from Maui, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu 
• Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information: https://www.tsunami.gov/ 

EARTHQUAKE MAPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• USGS National Earthquake Information Center Maps and Reports for this Event: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv74978947 
• USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes