USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-05-16T18:39:54+00:00

Activity Summary:     Kilauea volcano is not erupting. Unrest continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu, the south caldera, and the upper East Rift Zone.

Summit Observations and Upper East Rift Zone Observations: Earthquake counts remain slightly above background levels, but seismicity is reduced from last week. Over the past day, earthquakes have clustered below the summit and upper East Rift Zone. Earthquake depths have averaged 1–3 km (0.6–1.8 miles) beneath the surface, and magnitudes have been mostly below M2.0.

Ground deformation continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter northwest of the summit showed overall slight inflationary tilt over the past day.  At the same time, the Sand Hill tiltmeter southwest of the summit showed west inflationary tilt in the south caldera region.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission rates remain low. An SO2 emission rate of approximately 62 tonnes per day was recorded on May 2.

Rift Zone Observations:  Elevated seismic activity in the East Rift Zone is scattered along this zone, with the highest density near the Hiʻiaka and Pauahi Crater areas. At this time, seismicity in Kilauea's Southwest Rift Zone is relatively low outside the summit region. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone—the site of 1983–2018 eruptive activity—remain below detection limits for SO2, indicating that SO2 emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.

Analysis: Magma has been pressurizing the system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region, activating seismicity along faults in the upper East Rift Zone. At this time, it is not possible to say whether this increase in activity will lead to an intrusion or 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.

Information Statement Issued May 2, 2024: An information statement summarizing the events since April 27, including interpretation and possible outcomes, can be found here:  Kīlauea Information Statement: summit region heightened unrest continues; no eruptive activity. | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

Updates: The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will provide daily updates while Kīlauea volcano is in a heightened state of unrest.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of increasing activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued.

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.