USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-06-15T18:14:12+00:00

Activity Summary:  Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Earthquake counts and rates of inflationary ground deformation in the summit and upper rift zones remain somewhat elevated. Any additional increase in seismicity and/or deformation could result in new eruptive episodes within or near the summit region. 

Recent Eruption Site Observations:   Kīlauea erupted briefly on Monday, June 3, southwest of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Glow from fissure vents is no longer visible in webcam imagery. SO₂ emissions from the eruption site have likely decreased since the most recent measurement and may be around 50-100 tonnes per day (t/d) (similar to background emission levels at the summit). Seismic activity remains low at the eruption site. For more information about the recent eruption, see this webpage: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/recent-eruption  

Summit and Upper Rift Zone Observations:  Rates of seismicity beneath the summit, upper East Rift Zone, and upper Southwest Rift Zone were slightly elevated over the past day. About 25 earthquakes occurred over the past 24 hours. Earthquakes were mostly located beneath the south caldera region and upper East Rift Zone, at depths of 1.5-3 km (1–1.8 miles), with magnitudes under M2.5. Inflationary ground deformation of the summit continued over the past day. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter northwest of the summit recorded overall inflation of approximately 3 microradians over the past 24 hours. The Sand Hill tiltmeter southwest of the summit recorded approximately 3 microradians of inflation over the past 24 hours. The most recent summit SO₂ emission rate measured was approximately 50 t/d on June 10, 2024; accordingly, total SO₂ emissions from the summit and recent eruption site are likely less than 200 t/d. 

Lower Rift Zone Observations:  Rates of seismicity and ground deformation beneath the middle and lower East Rift Zone and lower Southwest Rift Zone are low. Eruptive activity and 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 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 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.   

Hazards: Hazards also 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 eruption sites, 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 recent lava flows include uneven and rough terrain that can lead to falls and other injuries; when exposed skin comes in contact with glassy (sharp) surfaces of recent lava flows, serious abrasions and lacerations can occur. 

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.