USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-06-04T23:30:53+00:00

The eruption that began southwest of Kīlauea’s summit at approximately 12:30 a.m. HST on June 3 remains paused. Conditions in the region have not changed significantly since this morning, though volcanic gas emissions have decreased. Activity in this region remains dynamic and could change quickly. All activity is located within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and will issue additional notices as needed.

Although lava effusion ceased around noon yesterday, June 3, areas of incandescence and elevated volcanic gas emissions continue. At approximately noon today, a sulfur dioxide emission rate of approximately 5,500 tonnes per day was measured. While this emission rate is decreased compared to the measurement of 12,000 tonnes per day yesterday afternoon, it remains elevated for an area that is not currently erupting lava. Volcanic tremor, a signal associated with fluid movement, continues to be recorded on summit seismometers, though earthquake activity and rates of ground deformation remain low in the region of Kīlaueaʻs summit and upper rift zone areas. 

A map of the approximate fissure locations is available here: https://www.usgs.gov/maps/june-3-2024-kilauea-southwest-rift-zone-eruption-reference-map-updated-10pm-hst

A new webcam monitors the recent eruption site: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/s1cam-view-upper-southwest-rift-zone-kilauea-view-southwest

Fissure eruptions are often short-lived but can be difficult to forecast. They can display pauses of hours to days. The large crack system that developed since the eruption onset extends well past the westernmost active fissure, indicating that magma has been emplaced at shallow depths beneath the surface all the way to the east side of Maunaiki. While the eruption yesterday occurred due to the intrusion of new magma to the Southwest, it occurred in the vicinity of the dike that formed close to the surface on January 31, 2024.  Input of newer, hotter magma could destabilize the stored magma. While the current eruption may be over, it is equally likely that it might resume at or to the west of the last active fissure.   

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea, which remains at alert level/aviation color code WATCH/ORANGE. HVO will issue a Kīlauea daily update tomorrow morning. If activity changes significantly before then, another Volcano Activity Notice will be issued.  

Eruptive activity and unrest is currently restricted to the summit and upper rift zone regions. Rates of seismicity and ground deformation beneath the middle and lower East Rift Zone and lower Southwest Rift Zone are low.

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. See the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park News Release: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20240603-2024-eruption.htm

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