USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-05-21T18:50:08+00:00

Activity Summary:     Kilauea volcano is not erupting. Unrest continues beneath the upper East Rift Zone.  The summit and south caldera are at background levels.

Summit Observations and Upper East Rift Zone Observations: Over the past day, earthquake counts along the UERZ are above background levels. Earthquakes in the summit and south caldera are at background levels.  Earthquake depths have averaged 1–3 km (0.6–1.9 miles) beneath the surface, and magnitudes have been mostly below M2.0.  For now, earthquake rates appear to be slowing down, but that could change at any time.

Ground deformation continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter northwest of the summit registered flat tilt over the past day.  At the same time, the Sand Hill tiltmeter southwest of the summit showed flat tilt.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission rates remain low. An SO2 emission rate of approximately 62 tonnes per day was recorded on May 2.

Rift Zone Observations:  Elevated seismic activity in the Upper East Rift Zone is scattered along this zone. Currently, seismicity in Kilauea's Southwest Rift Zone is relatively low outside the summit region. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone remain below detection limits for SO2, indicating that SO2 emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.

Analysis:   Magma has been pressurizing the system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region, activating seismicity in the upper East Rift Zone, and in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu. At this time, it is not possible to say whether this increase in activity will lead to an intrusion or eruption in the near future, or simply continue as seismic unrest at depth. Changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption.

Information Statement Issued May 2, 2024: An information statement summarizing the events since April 27, including interpretation and possible outcomes, can be found here:  Kīlauea Information Statement: summit region heightened unrest continues; no eruptive activity. | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

Updates: The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will provide daily updates while Kīlauea volcano is in a heightened state of unrest.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of increasing activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued.

Hazards are still present on Kīlauea and are described below. Residents and visitors should stay informed and follow County of Hawai‘i and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guidelines.