USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-08-20T16:37:45+00:00

Activity Summary: Kīlauea is not erupting. Increased earthquake activity and rates of ground deformation at Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone (UERZ) began last night at approximately 9:00 PM HST. The activity peaked around 2:00 AM and continues at a reduced rate this morning. Changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption, but there are no signs of imminent eruption at this time. There are no significant changes in activity in the lower East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. 

Summit Observations: Approximately 16 earthquakes were detected beneath Kaluapele (Kīlauea’s summit caldera) over the past 24 hours. Most were located south of Halema‘uma‘u and near Keanakākoʻi Crater at depths of 1–3 km (0.6–1.9 mi) below the ground surface with magnitudes of less than M2.0. Rates of deformation at the summit remained relatively low with minor local deflation, likely in response to unrest in the upper East Rift Zone (UERZ). An overall gradual inflationary trend continues to be seen on GPS instruments around the summit region. The most recent measurement of the summit's SO₂ emission rate was approximately 70 tonnes per day on August 13, 2024. 

Rift Zone Observations: Over the past 8 hours, there have been approximately 200 earthquakes beneath Kīlauea’s UERZ region, extending from Puhimau Crater southeast to Maunaulu. Activity peaked between 1:00 and 2:00 AM HST, and earthquakes have been occurring at decreasing rates since then. Most earthquakes have been smaller than M2.0, though there were 6 events larger than M3.0. The largest earthquake was a M3.7 at 2:21 AM HST. Events have remained at depths of 1–3 km (0.6–1.8 miles) beneath the surface. Most earthquakes have been too small to feel, but several were reported felt in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities.    

Earthquake activity has been accompanied by elevated rates and changing patterns of ground deformation recorded by the ESC tiltmeter in Kīlauea’s UERZ. Rates of deformation have decreased since about 4:30 AM HST but remain elevated. Tiltmeters in Kīlauea summit region (instruments SDH, southwest of the summit, and UWE, northwest of the summit) have shown minor deflationary trends since about midnight, likely associated with the UERZ unrest.   

Activity in the middle East Rift Zone (MERZ) remains low with approximately 25 earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours. Earthquake locations are scattered between Maunaulu and Puʻuʻōʻō within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Depths range from 1–3 km (0.6–1.9 mi) below the ground surface with magnitudes less than M2.0. There has been no significant change in deformation at the POC tiltmeter overnight. GPS instruments continue to record inflation in the region.  

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 this area are negligible. 

At this time, there is no evidence of seismicity or ground deformation beneath the lower East Rift Zone, and Southwest Rift Zone activity remains low. Current activity is restricted to the summit and upper East Rift Zone region.  

Analysis: UERZ unrest over the past night may represent another pulse of magma being supplied to the UERZ, following the intrusive event that occurred near Pauahi Crater over July 22–25, 2024. Currently, the MERZ has not shown signs of increased unrest; however, magma has recently re-established a path to Kīlauea’s MERZ. Unrest could potentially extend to the MERZ with continued magma supply.   

A reference map of the UERZ is available here: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/kilauea-upper-east-rift-zone-reference-map   

A reference map of the MERZ is available here: https://www.usgs.gov/maps/kilauea-middle-east-rift-zone-reference-map  

For more information about the meaning of volcano alert levels and aviation color codes, see https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes.  

Updates: The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is watching the situation closely and is in close contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Additional messages will be issued as needed. Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption; however, conditions could change quickly.  

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. HVO is in close contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park website will have information about any temporary closures: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/newsreleases.htm  

Recent Eruption Information: Kīlauea erupted briefly on June 3, 2024, southwest of the summit region 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: Shallow magma movement can produce minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features, which can affect the landscape, human activity, and infrastructure. These ground cracks can continue to widen and offset as magma migration continues, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided.  

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.