USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-09-19T02:10:36+00:00

Activity Summary: The eruption near Nāpau Crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park continues. Webcam and GOES satellite thermal imagery show that eruptive activity within Nāpau Crater, which had been waning throughout the day, has likely ceased while eruptive activity on the west edge of Nāpau Crater appears to have restarted at approximately 3:15 p.m. HST. Lava is currently cascading into Nāpau Crater on the northwest rim, visible in the S2cam. There is no immediate threat to life or infrastructure. The Volcano Alert Level/Aviation Color Code remains at WATCH/ORANGE. All current and recent activity is within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. No changes have been detected in the lower East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

Current eruptive activity began with a small eruption that occurred on September 15, 2024, on a remote section of the middle East Rift Zone in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, just west of Nāpau Crater as described here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/science/eruption-kilauea-middle-east-rift-zone  

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. 

HVO is continuing to closely monitor the middle East Rift Zone and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency. Temporary closures have been implemented as a result of this elevated activity; please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.