Volcano Updates

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

Summit and Upper East Rift Zone Observations: Earthquake counts remain slightly above background levels, but overall seismicity is reduced from several days ago. Over the past day, most earthquakes have clustered below the upper East Rift Zone. Earthquake depths have averaged 2–4 km (1.2–3.1 miles) beneath the surface, and magnitudes have been mostly below M2.0.

Ground deformation continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu, though at reduced rates over the past day. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter northwest of the summit has shown slight inflationary tilt over the past day. Over the same period, the Sand Hill tiltmeter southwest of the summit has been flat, showing no significant inflation or deflation 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 confined to the upper portion of the rift zone, with no significant earthquakes occurring past Pauahi Crater. At this time, seismicity in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone remains relatively low outside of 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.