USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2022-12-31T00:13:37-08:00

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, December 30, 2022, 10:30 PM HST (Saturday, December 31, 2022, 08:30 UTC)

KILAUEA (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

KĪLAUEA INFORMATION STATEMENT

A swarm of small earthquakes beneath Kīlauea caldera began at about 6 p.m. on Friday, December 30th, 2022. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded approximately 25 earthquakes less than magnitude 2 between 6 and 9 p.m. HST. The swarm seems to be diminishing at this time, but activity may pick up again.

These earthquakes are typical as the summit of Kīlauea repressurizes after the end of the last eruption. The earthquakes are generally dispersed beneath and around the south side of Halemaʻumaʻu. Overall, the summit of Kīlauea has been gradually inflating since the 28th of November. There is no indication that resumption of eruptive activity is imminent and there are no signs of significant activity in either of Kīlaueaʻs rift zones or on Mauna Loa.

EARTHQUAKE SWARM DESCRIPTION

Magnitude: Maximum magnitude of 2, most less than magnitude 1.5
Date and time: Starting at 6:00 p.m. HST on December 30, 2022, and ongoing
Location: 5 km (3 miles) SW of Volcano
Depth: 2 km (1 mile) below the surface
Number of located events: Over 25

INTENSITY OF EARTHQUAKES AND AFFECTED AREAS

Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity
Maximum Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: I-II—Not Felt to Weak (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)
Felt Reports: None
Felt Area: Not Felt

EARTHQUAKE MAPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes

More Information:
Kīlauea activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862
Kīlauea webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/webcams
Kīlauea photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/photo-video-chronology
Kīlauea lava-flow maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/maps
Kīlauea FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/faqs

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi and American Samoa.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

askHVO@usgs.gov

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/
Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards
Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo
Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes