USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-12-03T18:27:32+00:00

Summit Observations:  Earthquake activity at Kīlauea's summit region has increased in the past week, going from approximately 10 located earthquakes per day to 20 per day. Short-lived flurries of small earthquakes, with rates of about 6 events per hour, were observed on November 29 and December 3. Activity has generally clustered within Kaluapele and the south caldera region. Overall, there were approximately 75 earthquakes at the summit, most below magnitude-2.1. Summit tiltmeters and GPS stations have recorded steady inflation in the summit and south caldera regions. This inflation is also seen in recent InSAR measurements from satellite observation. The most recent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate measurement from the summit was approximately 68 +/- 24 tonnes per day on October 17, a value representative of noneruptive conditions at Kīlauea.

Rift Zone Observations:  The upper Southwest Rift Zone has seen a minor increase in seismicity, with approximately 25 located earthquakes below magnitude-2.0, most of which occurred over the past two days. Shallow earthquake counts in the upper East Rift Zone (ERZ) have increased over the past week, averaging between 25-60 located earthquakes per day, most of which were below magnitude-2.5. Activity in the middle ERZ was similar to the previous week, with approximately 75 located earthquakes, between Makaopuhi and Puʻuʻōʻō, all below magnitude-2.0. Deformation in the ERZ remains steady.

Analysis: The increased rates of seismicity and ground deformation observed over the past week indicate a higher level of unrest at Kīlauea's summit region compared to previous weeks. Seismic activity reflects ongoing inflation as magma accumulates within the volcano. No unusual activity has been noted east of Puʻuʻōʻō, along Kīlauea’s lower East Rift Zone. The most recent eruption at Kīlauea occurred near Nāpau Crater within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park from September 15–20, 2024. More information on the eruption is available on the USGS website: Eruption on Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov). A summary of the eruption is also available in this “Volcano Watch” article: Volcano Watch — A New Kīlauea Eruption | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov).

Hazards:  Near the recent middle East 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.

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.

For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, please see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.

Updates:  HVO will issue weekly Kīlauea updates on Tuesdays until further notice. Additional messages will be issued as needed. HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency.  Should volcanic activity change significantly, a Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued. Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.