USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2022-10-05T19:26:56-07:00

Mauna Loa is not erupting and there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time.  

However, Mauna Loa is currently experiencing heightened unrest. Earthquake activity has been increasing from 5-10 earthquakes per day since June 2022, to 10-20 earthquakes per day in July and August, and reaching approximately 40-50 earthquakes per day over the past two weeks.  Peak numbers of over 100 earthquakes per day occurred on September 23rd and 29th.  

Inflation or expansion of Mauna Loa's summit is accompanying the earthquake activity and has also increased in the past two weeks.  The last time Mauna Loa displayed similar elevated earthquake activity and expansion of the summit region was late-January to late-March of 2021. Additional periods of increased earthquake activity have also occurred during the 38 years since the last eruption of Mauna Loa in 1984.  

The Alert Level for Mauna Loa remains at ADVISORY/YELLOW.   

Beginning tomorrow, October 6, HVO will be changing UPDATES for Mauna Loa from WEEKLY to DAILY, reflecting the heightened level of unrest. 

HVO is continuing to monitor conditions carefully and will issue appropriate updates if conditions change. 

Updated maps and graphs of earthquake activity at Mauna Loa can be found here: Past Week Monitoring Data for Mauna Loa | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov) 

Mauna Loa FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/faqs 

Preparing for Mauna Loa: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-failing-prepare-you-are-preparing-fail-benjamin-franklin