USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-01-22T10:40:26-08:00

Activity Summary:  Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Over the past day seismicity has been low and no unusual activity has been observed at the summit or the Southwest and East Rift Zones. Kīlauea summit remains pressurized; in recent months unrest has escalated quickly, and an eruption could occur in the future with little warning. 

Summit Observations:  Over the past 24 hours, seismicity in Kīlauea's summit region has been low, with approximately 19 small-magnitude earthquakes (less than M2) recorded beneath the caldera. However, periods of increased seismicity can be expected to continue during repressurization of the summit magma reservoir, which has been ongoing since the end of the September 2023 eruption. 

Kīlauea's summit region remains at a high level of inflation. Summit tiltmeters at Uēkahuna and Sand Hill have shown continued inflationary tilt over the past day.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas emission rates remain low. Field measurements indicated an SO₂ emission rate of approximately 70 tonnes per day on January 17, which was similar to measurements in October, November, and early December.

The information statement released on October 23, 2023, provides additional information and context related to recent unrest at Kīlauea's summit: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans2/view/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2023-10-23T22:33:18-07:00

A map summarizing recent unrest around Kilauea’s summit (activity from November 30, 2023 to January 8, 2024) can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/january-8-2024-summary-map-recent-unrest-kilauea-volcano

Rift Zone Observations:  Seismicity in Kīlauea's East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone remained low in the past 24 hours.

We continue to closely monitor the summit and both rift zones. No unusual activity has been noted along the middle and lower sections of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone—the site of 1983–2018 eruptive activity—have been below detection limits for SO₂, indicating that SO₂ emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.

Hazard Analysis:  Levels of volcanic gases (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even when Kīlauea is not erupting. Local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and/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.