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[b]HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE[/b]
[b]U.S. Geological Survey[/b]
[b]Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 8:50 AM HST (Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 18:50 UTC)[/b]
[b]KILAUEA[/b] (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
[b]Activity Summary: [/b]Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. The area just south of Kīlauea's summit is showing signs of episodic heightened unrest. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.
[b]Summit Observations:[/b] Episodic heightened unrest continues in the south summit area of Kīlauea and an eruption in the region from Halemaʻumaʻu south to the December 1974 vents could emerge with little notice (1-2 hours) during peaks in this activity. Inflation at the summit of Kīlauea remains at about its highest level in over 5 years and has nearly returned to the level seen just before the last eruption on September 10th. The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter located north of the caldera recorded very slight inflation over the past 24 hours. The Sand Hill tiltmeter located just south of the caldera went off scale during the peak activity on October 6th, but has been reset and is showing continued inflation but at a lower rate than before the event. GPS units within the south end of the caldera and further south also show continued uplift of this region. Elevated seismicity is being recorded beneath the south end of Kīlauea caldera and extends to the southwest along the trend of December 1974 vents. Seismicity increased on October 4, peaked at over 250 earthquakes per day on October 5 and 6, and continues dispersed over this area. Over the past 24 hours, approximately 134 earthquakes were recorded in Kīlauea summit region. Most of the earthquakes from the seismic swarm south of the caldera are at depths of around 0.5–4 km (0.3–2.5 mi) below the surface. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on October 6.
[b]Rift Zone Observations:[/b] No unusual activity has been noted along the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone; steady rates of ground deformation and seismicity continue along both. 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.
[b]Hazard Analysis: [/b]Levels of volcanic gas (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even though Kīlauea is no longer erupting. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions have greatly decreased; however, local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may notice odors of these gases occasionally. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, please see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor Kīlauea volcano.
[b]Next Notice:[/b] HVO will issue daily Kīlauea updates. Additional messages will be issued as needed.
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(10-11-2023, 07:05 PM)terracore Wrote: [b]HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE[/b]
[b]U.S. Geological Survey[/b]
[b]Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 8:50 AM HST (Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 18:50 UTC)[/b]
[b]KILAUEA[/b] (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
[b]Activity Summary: [/b]Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. The area just south of Kīlauea's summit is showing signs of episodic heightened unrest. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.
[b]Summit Observations:[/b] Episodic heightened unrest continues in the south summit area of Kīlauea and an eruption in the region from Halemaʻumaʻu south to the December 1974 vents could emerge with little notice (1-2 hours) during peaks in this activity. Inflation at the summit of Kīlauea remains at about its highest level in over 5 years and has nearly returned to the level seen just before the last eruption on September 10th. The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter located north of the caldera recorded very slight inflation over the past 24 hours. The Sand Hill tiltmeter located just south of the caldera went off scale during the peak activity on October 6th, but has been reset and is showing continued inflation but at a lower rate than before the event. GPS units within the south end of the caldera and further south also show continued uplift of this region. Elevated seismicity is being recorded beneath the south end of Kīlauea caldera and extends to the southwest along the trend of December 1974 vents. Seismicity increased on October 4, peaked at over 250 earthquakes per day on October 5 and 6, and continues dispersed over this area. Over the past 24 hours, approximately 134 earthquakes were recorded in Kīlauea summit region. Most of the earthquakes from the seismic swarm south of the caldera are at depths of around 0.5–4 km (0.3–2.5 mi) below the surface. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on October 6.
[b]Rift Zone Observations:[/b] No unusual activity has been noted along the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone; steady rates of ground deformation and seismicity continue along both. 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.
[b]Hazard Analysis: [/b]Levels of volcanic gas (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even though Kīlauea is no longer erupting. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions have greatly decreased; however, local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may notice odors of these gases occasionally. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, please see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor Kīlauea volcano.
[b]Next Notice:[/b] HVO will issue daily Kīlauea updates. Additional messages will be issued as needed.
Strange, I could have sworn yesterday's update said something about it being all but over. But apparently it was just taking a nap:
[b]HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE[/b]
[b]U.S. Geological Survey[/b]
[b]Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 8:21 AM HST (Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 18:21 UTC)[/b]
[b]KILAUEA[/b] (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
[b]Activity Summary: [/b][b] [/b]Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Earthquake rates beneath the southern part of Kīlauea’s summit caldera and extending to the southwest have increased over the past 24 hours, suggesting the intrusive event that began last week is not over.
[b]Summit Observations:[/b] The major intrusive event that has been ongoing beneath the area extending from the southern part of Kīlauea caldera southwest to the Koaʻe fault zone appears to ramping back up. An increase in earthquakes, from 23 per day on Monday, to 136 recorded in the past 24 hours. These earthquakes were at depths of 1-5 km (0.6-3 mi) beneath the surface.
Currently, the Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter located north of the caldera recorded very slight inflation over the past 24 hours, in a NE direction. The Sand Hill tiltmeter, located just south of the caldera, is showing an inflationary tilt trend, in NNW direction. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on October 6. Other monitoring data streams, including webcam views, do not show any significant changes.
HVO continues to monitor the summit region of Kīlauea volcano closely.
[b]Rift Zone Observations:[/b] Rift Zones no threats are apparent. No unusual activity has been noted along the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone; steady rates of ground deformation and seismicity continue along both. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone remain below detection limits for SO2, indicating that SO2 emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.
[b]Hazard Analysis: [/b]Levels of volcanic gas (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even though Kīlauea is no longer erupting. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions have greatly decreased; however, local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may notice odors of these gases occasionally. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, please see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor Kīlauea volcano.
[b]Next Notice:[/b] HVO will issue daily Kīlauea updates. Additional messages will be issued as needed.
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"Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is temporarily closed due to heightened seismic activity beneath Kilauea. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded 70 earthquakes in the last 24 hours, with 45 in the southern caldera and 25 beneath the upper East Rift Zone."
https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/2023...losure.htm
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 10:30 AM HST (Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 20:30 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
Activity Summary: Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. The unrest associated with the intrusion that began in early October southwest of Kīlauea's summit increased this morning November 21. Seismic activity in the south part of Kīlauea’s caldera, which has been elevated over the last week, increased in the early morning hours and was followed by a cluster of earthquakes around 8 a.m. in the upper East Rift Zone. Unrest may continue to wax and wane with changes to the input of magma into the area and eruptive activity could occur in the near future with little or no warning. No unusual activity has been noted along the middle and lower sections of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone.
Summit Observations: A new episode of earthquake activity began this morning Monday, November 21, in the south caldera, and upper East Rift Zones. Fourty-five earthquakes were observed in the southern part of the caldera including two magnitude 2.8 quakes in the past 24 hours along with twenty five earthquakes in the upper East Rift Zone. The new episode of earthquake activity in the upper East Rift Zone began around 8 a.m. this morning Tuesday November 21 between Puhimau and Hiiaka Craters. The largest earthquakes were magnitude 3.2 and 2.8 accompanied by many smaller earthquakes not located on maps.
The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter, located northwest of the caldera had a modest increase in tilt in the past 24 hours. The Sand Hill tiltmeter, located southwest of the caldera, had moderate observable inflation in the last 24 hours. However, overall, the summit of Kīlauea remains at a high level of inflation, above the level reached prior to the most recent eruption in September 2023.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low. Field observations found SO2 gas emmision of 100 tonnes per day on November 17th. This is the same as an observation in October 2023.
There is currently no sign of an imminent eruption, but the increased seismicity around the summit and upper East Rift Zones are similar to events that have preceded other eruptions. The most likely location for renewed eruptive activity is within Kīlauea caldera, but it is also possible that an eruption could occur in the upper East Rift Zone. It is also possible that the seisimic activity observed today may subside and no eruption will occur. The onsets of previous summit eruptions have been marked by strong swarms of earthquakes caused by the emplacement of a dike 1-2 hours before eruptions and these have not been detected at this time.
The HVO information statement released on October 23, 2023, provides additional information and context related to recent unrest at Kīlauea summit: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans2/view/no...3:18-07:00
A map summarizing recent unrest southwest of Kilauea’s summit (activity beginning 10/4/23) is seen here: https://www.usgs.gov/maps/november-5-202...ea-volcano
Rift Zone Observations: Beginning in early November, a small cluster of earthquakes (4-12 earthquakes per day) began occurring along the Southwest Rift Zone. Most events have been smaller than magnitude-2 and have located in the middle of the Southwest Rift Zone, at depths of 1-3 miles (1-5 km) below sea level. This morning, a swarm of earthquakes, including four larger earthquakes, began on the upper East Rift Zone. The 4 largest earthquakes occured in the south caldera (M2.8), southwest of the caldera (M2.0) and upper East Rift Zone (M3.2 and M2.8).
We continue to closely monitor this area. There have been several minor episodes of seismicity in the Upper East Rift Zone in the past month, but no unusual activity has been noted along the rest of the East Rift Zone. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone have been below detection limits for SO2, indicating that SO2 emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.
Hazard Analysis: Levels of volcanic gas (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even though Kīlauea is no longer erupting. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions have greatly decreased; however, local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may notice odors of these gases occasionally. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, please see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawai...ry/hazards.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor Kīlauea volcano.
Next Notice: HVO will issue daily Kīlauea updates. Additional messages will be issued as needed.
https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates
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Thanks for the heads up. Most of the recent activity had been south of caldera and more toward the southwest rift zone. The shift to the East rift zone happened very quickly and in a very concentrated area but looking just now, thereʻs a new cluster south of the caldera. Ten quakes in two hours is pretty impressive.
Certainty will be the death of us.
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HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, December 29, 2023, 7:20 PM HST (Saturday, December 30, 2023, 05:20 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
Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Elevated unrest and increased seismicity to the south of Kīlauea's summit started today, December 29, around 1:10 p.m. HST and is continuing. The seismicity followed a sharp increase in the rate of inflation on the Sand Hill tiltmeter that began at 12:30 p.m. HST and is continuing. The increased seismicity began just to the south of Halemaʻumaʻu and has progressively included a larger region to the south of the caldera about 2–4 km (1–2.5 mi) south of Halema‘uma‘u crater. The seismicity is occurring at depths of 1–3 km (0.5–2 mi) with magnitudes ranging from a maximum of 2.5 to less than 1. There have been over 80 locatable earthquakes in this region in the past 6 hours and many smaller earthquakes.
The summit of Kīlauea remains at a high level of inflation and eruptive activity at the summit is possible with little or no warning. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. The current Volcano Alert Level remains at ADVISORY. The current Aviation Color Code remains at YELLOW.
RECENT OBSERVATIONS
The most recent eruption at Kīlauea summit ended on September 16, 2023, but was followed by a significant intrusion to the southwest of Kīlauea caldera. Seismicity has waxed and waned since then alternating between the southwest area, the south end of the caldera, and the upper East Rift Zone. Most recent seismicity has alternated between the summit caldera and the upper East Rift Zone.
A map of the October intrusive activity is available here: https://www.usgs.gov/maps/october-12-202...ea-volcano
INTERPRETATION AND CONTEXT
Earthquake swarms like this can precede eruptions, but there is no lateral or upward migration of earthquakes that would suggest magma is moving toward the surface at this time. There are currently no signs of an imminent eruption at Kīlauea, but the volcano's summit region remains unsettled, with a high level of inflation and continued seismic activity.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea volcano, watching for any signs of accelerated rates of earthquakes or ground deformation, or signs of shallowing earthquake locations, which usually precede a new outbreak of lava or propagating dike. We are also closely monitoring gas emissions and webcam imagery.
· S2cam: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/s...-southwest
· MITDcam: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/m...king-north
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/p...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.
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HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 9:31 AM HST (Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 19:31 UTC)
KILAUEA (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Activity Summary: Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. An increase in seismicity in the south caldera region started this morning and has remained at high levels since 3 a.m. HST. Kīlauea’s summit remains pressurized; in recent months unrest has escalated quickly, and an eruption could occur in the future with little warning.
Summit Observations: Seismicity began to increase just before midnight. Since 3 a.m. HST, 25-30 locatable earthquakes have occurred per hour at depths of 1.5–3 km (1–2 mi) below the surface. Earthquake clusters have migrated between the area just south of Halema’uma’u and the region southwest of the outer caldera boundary. The most intense activity occurred between 6 and 8 a.m., when earthquakes were clustering just south of Halemaʻumaʻu. There have been over 180 locatable earthquakes in this region in the past 6 hours, with magnitudes ranging from a maximum of 3.4 to less than 1. Several of these earthquakes were large enough to be felt by HVO staff in the field, who also reported rockfalls on the south side of Halemaʻumaʻu.
At the time of this report, earthquake activity remains elevated, and the overall number and intensity of earthquakes is fluctuating with time. Periods of increased seismicity can be expected to continue during repressurization of the summit magma reservoir, which has been ongoing since the end of the September 2023 eruption.
Kīlauea's summit region remains at a high level of inflation. Nearly 10 microradians of change have been recorded since 4:00 a.m. HST at tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff. Both of these tiltmeters have shown highly variable directions and rates of tilt, typical of shallow crack growth that can precede either an eruption or shallow intrusion. Step-wise changes in the tilt signal are likely due to the instrument being shaken by nearby earthquakes or rockfalls.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission rates remain low. Field measurements indicated an SO2 emission rate of approximately 70 tonnes per day on January 17, which was similar to measurements in October, November, and early December.
Patterns of ground deformation and earthquakes since this morning indicate that pulses of magma continue to move beneath the surface of the region south-southwest of Kīlauea’s summit. HVO is closely monitoring Kīlauea volcano, watching for any signs of accelerated rates of earthquakes or ground deformation, or signs of shallowing earthquake locations, which usually precede a new outbreak of lava or propagating dike. We are also closely monitoring gas emissions and webcam imagery.
Rift Zone Observations: Seismicity in Kīlauea's East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone remained low in the past 24 hours.
We continue to closely monitor the summit and both rift zones. No unusual activity has been noted along the middle and lower sections of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone—the site of 1983–2018 eruptive activity—have been below detection limits for SO2, indicating that SO2 emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.
Hazard Analysis: Levels of volcanic gases (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even when Kīlauea is not erupting. Local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and/or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may notice odors of these gases occasionally. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, please see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawai...ry/hazards.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor Kīlauea volcano.
Next Notice: HVO will issue daily Kīlauea updates. Additional messages will be issued as needed.
More Information:
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
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/p...chronology
Kīlauea lava-flow maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/maps
Kīlauea FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/faqs
Kīlauea hazards discussion: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawai...ry/hazards
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
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Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE
2024-02-01 03:55:16 UTC
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 5:55 PM HST (Thursday, February 1, 2024, 03:55 UTC)
KILAUEA (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Activity beneath Kīlauea’s summit remains heightened and dynamic. The increase in seismicity and deformation that began in the south caldera region early this morning has fluctuated in intensity throughout the day but remains high overall. Kīlauea’s summit is pressurized; an eruption could occur with little warning. Increased seismicity and deformation remain restricted to the summit region and no unusual activity has been noted in the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.
Since 3:00 a.m. HST, the number of detected earthquakes per hour has varied between 25-40. These events have occurred at depths of 1.5–3 km (1–2 mi) below the surface in clusters that have migrated between the area just south of Halema’uma’u and the region southwest of the outer caldera boundary. In total, there have been over 500 located earthquakes in this region since midnight, with magnitudes ranging from a maximum of 3.4 to less than 1, and more than 1,400 earthquakes since 9 a.m. HST on Saturday January 27th. Several of these earthquakes were large enough to be felt by neighboring communities, though none have been large enough to cause damage. The stronger earthquakes also continue to trigger rockfalls within Halemaʻumaʻu.
Tiltmeters at Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff have continued to show highly variable directions and rates of tilt throughout the day, typical of ground deformation coupled with shallow crack growth that can precede either an eruption or shallow intrusion. Approximately 20 microradians of change have been recorded since 4:00 a.m. HST. Step-wise changes in the tilt signals are attributed to the instruments being shaken by nearby earthquakes or rockfalls.
Patterns of ground deformation and earthquakes since this morning indicate that pulses of magma continue to move beneath the surface of the region south of Halemaʻumaʻu to the area southwest of Kīlauea’s caldera. At the time of this report, activity remains elevated; periods of increased earthquake activity and rates of ground deformation can be expected to continue.
Current monitoring data show no indication that an eruption associated with this activity could occur far from Halemaʻumaʻu or the nearby area just to the south. Current wind conditions are weak and out of the south, so strong degassing could impact areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities if an eruption does occur in the summit region.
HVO continues to closely monitor the increased activity on Kīlauea volcano and remains in close contact with officials at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Staff are watching for any signs of accelerated rates of earthquakes or ground deformation, or signs of shallowing earthquake locations, which usually precede a new outbreak of lava or propagating dike. We are also closely monitoring gas emissions and webcam imagery.
More Information:
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
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/p...chronology
Kīlauea lava-flow maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/maps
Kīlauea FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/faqs
Kīlauea hazards discussion: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawai...ry/hazards
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Continuing on this thread.. today it's obvious magma is on the move down the southwest rift.. here's HVO's update..
Activity Summary: Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. The increase in seismicity and deformation that began early January 31 in the summit region has shifted from the summit to the southwest. Since last night, earthquake activity has concentrated along the Koa‘e fault system southwest of the summit. Kīlauea’s summit remains pressurized; in recent months unrest has escalated quickly, and an eruption could occur in the future with little warning.
Summit Observations: As of this morning, seismicity in the south caldera region has quieted, and activity is concentrated 5-7 miles (8-11 km) southwest of the caldera, in the vicinity of Pu‘ukoa‘e. Depths have remained consistent, 1–4 km (less than a mile–2.5 mi) below the surface, and the rates have persisted at 25-30 locatable earthquakes per hour. There have been over 70 locatable earthquakes in this region in the past 3 hours, with magnitudes ranging from a maximum of 3 to less than 1. Some events are large enough to be felt by neighboring communities, though none have been large enough to cause damage.
Kīlauea's summit region remains at a high level of inflation. Nearly 40 microradians of change have been recorded since 4:00 a.m. HST on January 31 at tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff. Both of these tiltmeters showed highly variable directions and rates of tilt on January 31, typical of shallow crack growth that can precede either an eruption or shallow intrusion. Since early this morning, these tiltmeters have shown more consistent directions and rates, suggestive of ground inflation to the southwest (in the direction of where earthquakes are occurring). Step-wise offsets in the tilt signal are likely due to the instrument being shaken by nearby earthquakes or rockfalls.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission rates remain low. Field measurements indicated an SO2 emission rate of approximately 70 tonnes per day on January 17, which was similar to measurements in October, November, and early December.
Patterns of earthquakes and ground deformation since this morning indicate that pulses of magma continue to move beneath the surface of southwest of the summit along the Ko’ae fault zone. The Koa‘e fault system connects Kīlauea’s East and Southwest Rift Zones south of the caldera. Faults here appear as low cliffs, or “scarps.” Typically, when magma reaches this area earthquakes are concentrated at depths of 3-4 km (2-2.5 mi), but current activity is distributed more evenly from 1-4 km (less than a mile–2.5 mi) depth. Around 7:30 this morning, three magnitude 2.9 earthquakes occurred just south of Puʻukoʻae at very shallow depths. At the time of this report, activity remains elevated; periods of increased earthquake activity and rates of ground deformation can be expected to continue in this region. Based on past historical activity, this event is much more likely to continue as an intrusion, but there is still a possibility of it ending in an eruption.
I'm leaning more to the it's an intrusion rather than an eruption, but hey until the mountain decides is all just pin the tail on the donkey..
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So does an intrusion mean that it doesnʻt reach the surface? And dear me! The HVO earthquake site is down for the moment.
Certainty will be the death of us.
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