USGS Volcanoes: Notices released in the last day.

Slow eruption of lava within the summit crater continues. Minor earthquakes were detected over the past day and typical steaming was observed in a high resolution satellite image. Web camera observations were obscured by clouds.

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.

Earthquake activity was very low over the past day. Satellite and web camera observations were obscured by clouds.  

A new temporary monitoring station was installed recently near Mount Kupreanof and is providing seismic data, infrasound data, gas measurements, and web camera images on an intermittent basis. This is by design to conserve battery power, but the frequency of data acquisition can be increased if activity warrants. The closest functioning seismometers that provide continuous data are approximately 10 miles (16 km) to the northeast 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.

Minor seismic activity and infrasound were detected at the volcano during the past day. Sulfur dioxide emissions were observed in satellite data from yesterday afternoon. Satellite and web camera observations of the volcano were obscured by clouds.

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. 

Lava continues to erupt slowly within the summit crater. Satellite data shows that the lava dome is gradually expanding toward the east-southeast and slightly elevated surface temperatures were observed when cloud cover did not obscure the volcano.  Seismic activity remains low, with only occasional small volcanic earthquakes and seismic signals associated with minor rockfalls detected.

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

Low-level unrest continues at Mount Kupreanof . Earthquakes continue at a low rate and occasional periods of weak volcanic tremor from the movement of fluids were observed in seismic data, including at a recently installed monitoring station located near the volcano. The largest earthquake during the past week occurred on July 28 and had a magnitude of 3.0. Robust steam emissions were observed in a web camera that is part of the new monitoring station and minor emissions of sulfur dioxide gas were observed in satellite data this past week. 

A new temporary monitoring station was installed recently near Mount Kupreanof and is providing seismic data, infrasound data, gas measurements, and web camera images on an intermittent basis. This is by design to conserve battery power, but the frequency of data acquisition can be increased if activity warrants. The closest functioning seismometers that provide continuous data are approximately 10 miles (16 km) to the northeast 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. 

Seismic and infrasound activity remain elevated, characterized by numerous small earthquakes, persistent tremor, and frequent infrasound signals generated by small explosions within the volcanic conduit. During periods of clear weather, a steam plume was observed in web camera and satellite data extending for many tens of miles downwind. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions continue to be observed in satellite data extending for hundreds of miles downwind. Although the steam and gas emissions extended further from the volcano than they typically do, this does not indicate a significant increase in volcanic unrest. 

Shishaldin Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a telemetered geodetic network. In addition to the local monitoring network, the Alaska Volcano Observatory uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lightning data, and satellite data to monitor the volcano. 

Overview:

The summit eruption of Kīlauea in Halemaʻumaʻu is paused after the end of episode 52 on July 28-29, 2026. Glow from summit vents and inflationary tilt continued through the past day, suggesting that another episode is likely. Preliminary models indicate that the forecast window for episode 53 is between August 6 and August 14.

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

A summary of episode 52 is posted below.

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

Summit Observations:

Intermittent glow and occasional flames continued from the north vent overnight, as well as occasional glow from a crack that opened upslope of the south vent in the early morning of July 30. Little to no incandescence was visible on lava flows that erupted onto the floor of Halema'uma'u crater during episode 52. Slow movements from cooling lava flows and gravity induced slumps on the vents are expected to continue in the coming days and nights. 

Low-frequency seismic pulsing is still occurring, but with lower amplitude than immediately after the end of episode 52, as has been the pattern in the days after a fountaining episode. No earthquakes were detected beneath the summit region for the second day in a row.

Since episode 52 ended, UWD has recorded 5.9 microradians of inflationary tilt. Deflationary tilt measured at a summit tiltmeter at Uēkahuna (UWD) totaled 14.4 microradians during episode 52. Steady inflationary tilt has been observed since the end of episode 52 with a couple short instances of low to flat tilt rate.

The sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rate from the summit is likely now varying within a typical range of 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes per day. Winds are currently from the north-northeast, and the degassing plumes are being blown to the south-southwest.

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:

The abrupt switch from summit deflation to inflation at the end of episode 52 along with glow from the vents indicates that episode 53 fountaining is likely. Preliminary tilt-based models have a forecast window for episode 52 from August 6 through August 14.

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 52:

A detailed account of episode 52 is given in the HVO Status Report issued on July 29: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans-public/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-07-29T13:10:51+00:00

• Episode 52 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began around 7:10 p.m. HST on July 28 and ended abruptly at 2:36 a.m. HST on July 29, 2026.
• The maximum lava fountain height was approximately 500 feet (150 meters) above ground level from the north vent. The south vent never fountained during this episode but did emit flames at the end of the eruption. 
• The maximum plume height was approximately 19,000 (5,800 meters) above mean sea level. 

• Tephra fall was restricted mostly to the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to the southwest of the active Halemaʻumaʻu vents.  

   

Resources:

NOTE: HVO’s monitoring network is mostly recovered from recent power- and storm-related outages. Several summit stations, including the SDH tiltmeter, will 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.

Yellowstone Caldera activity remains at background levels, with 68 located earthquakes in July (largest = M3.3). Deformation measurements indicate no significant uplift of the north caldera rim since January 2026 and only minor uplift of the caldera since the beginning of the year.

Recent Work and News

In response to the small hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin on June 13, a new camera was installed in the area on July 22 with a view of both Black Diamond Pool (site of a hydrothermal explosion in 2024) and the June 13 explosion area.  Camera images are updated every 15 minutes at https://www.usgs.gov/media/webcams/biscuit-basin-webcam-0.  Scientists from the University of Utah and Yellowstone National Park also began the process of installing a new seismic and infrasound monitoring station in Upper Geyser Basin, near Geyser Hill, that will be brought online in August or September.  

Black Diamond Pool, in Biscuit Basin, had several eruptions of varying sizes throughout July.  Water temperature data indicate no clear eruptions and only one overflow event at Echinus Geyser, in Norris Geyser Basin, and nearby Steamboat Geyser had only minor eruptive activity during the month.

Seismicity

During July 2026, the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, responsible for the operation and analysis of the Yellowstone Seismic Network, located 68 earthquakes in the Yellowstone National Park region. The largest event of the month was a minor earthquake of magnitude 3.3 located about 5 miles south-southeast of Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park on July 16 at 7:20 a.m. MDT.  This event was reported felt in some areas of the park.

July seismicity in Yellowstone was marked by a small swarm of 13 earthquakes located about 10 miles north-northeast of Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park and that occurred on July 17. The magnitudes ranged from M0.6 to M1.5.

Earthquake activity in Yellowstone is at background levels.

Ground Deformation

Data from continuous GPS stations indicate that the uplift that started in July 2025 on the north caldera rim ceased by mid-January 2026 and has not resumed.  Subtle uplift of the caldera itself amounted to about 1 cm or less (a fraction of an inch) over the course of the past few months, possibly due to seasonal variations associated with groundwater conditions.

An example of GPS data can be found at http://www.unavco.org/instrumentation/networks/status/pbo/data/NRWY (click on Static Plots / Cleaned)