USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2023-10-13T12:18:18-07:00

Activity Summary:  Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. The area just south of Kīlauea's summit is showing signs of episodic heightened unrest. An eruption is not imminent, but one could occur in the region from Halemaʻumaʻu south to the December 1974 vents with little notice (1-2 hours). No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

Summit Observations: Episodic heightened unrest continues in the south summit area of Kīlauea. Inflation at the summit of Kīlauea remains high and has nearly returned to the level seen just before the last eruption on September 10th.

The Uēkahuna summit tilt meter located north of the caldera recorded a flat trend over the past 24 hours.  The Sand Hill tilt meter, located just south of the caldera, is also displaying a flat tilt trend.  GPS units within the south end of the caldera and further south show continued uplift of this region.  Elevated basicity is being recorded beneath the south end of Kīlauea caldera and extends to the southwest along the trend of December 1974 vents. A map summarizing the recent activity is located here: October 12, 2023—Summary map of intrusive activity at Kīlauea Volcano―October 4–12, 2023 | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

Over the past 24 hours, approximately 21 earthquakes were recorded in Kīlauea summit region. Most of the earthquakes from the seismic swarm south of the caldera are at depths of around 0–4 km (0.6–3 mi) below the surface. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on October 6.

Rift Zone Observations: No unusual activity has been noted along the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone; steady rates of ground deformation and seismicity continue along both. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone—the site of 1983–2018 eruptive activity—remain below detection limits for SO₂, indicating that SO₂ emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.

Hazard Analysis: Levels of volcanic gas (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even though Kīlauea is no longer erupting. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas emissions have greatly decreased; however, local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may notice odors of these gases occasionally. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, please see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor Kīlauea volcano.

Next Notice: HVO will issue daily Kīlauea updates. Additional messages will be issued as needed.