USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-06-27T22:06:09+00:00

Activity Summary:  Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Earthquake counts and rates of inflationary ground deformation in the summit and upper rift zones continue the moderately elevated behavior that has persisted since the end of the June 3 eruption. A brief earthquake swarm occurred southeast of the summit yesterday afternoon, but no associated volcanic changes were detected. Any substantial increases in seismicity and/or deformation could result in a new eruptive episode within or near the summit region, but there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time.

Summit and Upper Rift Zone Observations:  There were nearly 170 earthquakes detected beneath the summit over the past 24 hours, mostly below the south caldera region at depths of 1.5–3 km (1–1.8 mi). Yesterday afternoon, a magnitude-2.9 event at 3:32 p.m. was followed 3 minutes later by a magnitude 3.4 event at 3:35 p.m.; both occurred in the East Rift connector, southeast of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), and were reported felt by residents of the Volcano community. These events kicked off a swarm of heightened seismic activity that lasted for approximately 90 minutes, but earthquake rates then returned to previous levels and no associated volcanic changes were detected.

Rates of ground deformation at the summit gradually slowed over the past 24 hours: despite fluctuations, the tiltmeter at Uēkahuna northwest of the summit only recorded approximately 1 microradian of net inflation, while the tiltmeter at Sand Hill southwest of the summit only recorded 2 microradians of more steady inflation. The most recent measurement of the summit's SO₂ emission rate was approximately 50 tonnes per day on June 10, 2024; accordingly, total SO₂ emissions from the summit and recent eruption site are likely less than 200 tonnes per day.

Middle and Lower Rift Zone Observations:  Rates of seismicity and ground deformation beneath the middle and lower East Rift Zone and lower Southwest Rift Zone remain low. Recent eruptive activity and ongoing unrest have been restricted to the summit and upper rift zone regions. 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.

Analysis:  Following the June 3 eruption, magma has been repressurizing the storage system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region, activating earthquakes 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 an 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, but there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time.

Updates:  The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will continue to provide daily updates for Kīlauea volcano. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued.

Recent Eruption Information:  Kīlauea erupted briefly on June 3, 2024, southwest of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) within a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. For more information about this eruption, see this webpage: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/june-2024-kilauea-southwest-rift-zone-eruption  

Hazards:  Hazards remain around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of the rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since early 2008.

Near the recent Southwest Rift Zone eruption site, minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features may continue to widen and offset, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided. Hazards associated with the recent lava flows include glassy (sharp) surfaces that can cause serious abrasions, and lacerations upon contact with unprotected or exposed skin; uneven and rough terrain that can lead to falls and other injuries; or, locally elevated levels of volcanic gases that can lead to breathing difficulty.

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.

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