HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 8:42 AM HST (Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 18:42 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 is not erupting. Earthquake activity remains elevated in Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone (UERZ). Changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption, but there are no signs of imminent eruption at this time. There are no significant changes in activity in the lower East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. Summit Observations: Approximately 13 earthquakes were detected beneath Kaluapele (Kīlauea’s summit caldera) over the past 24 hours at depths of 1–3 km (0.6–1.9 mi) below the ground surface, most with magnitudes of less than M2.0. Rates of deformation at the summit remained relatively low, with slightly fluctuating tilt at summit tiltmeters over the past day. An overall gradual inflationary trend has been measured by GPS instruments around the summit region in recent months. The most recent measurement of the summit's SO2 emission rate was approximately 75 tonnes per day on August 20, 2024. Rift Zone Observations: Over the past 24 hours, there have been approximately 48 earthquakes beneath Kīlauea’s UERZ region, extending from Puhimau Crater southeast to Maunaulu, an increase from yesterday. Most earthquakes have been smaller than M2.0 with one magnitude-3.5 at 1 mile (2 km) depth approximately 4 miles south of Volcano. Events have remained at depths of 1–3 km (0.6–1.8 miles) beneath the surface. Currently, deformation remains stable over the past 24 hours. Activity in the middle East Rift Zone (MERZ) remains low. There were no significant changes in the POC tiltmeter over the past day. GPS instruments have recorded overall inflation in the region over the past month.
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 this area are negligible.
At this time, there is no evidence of elevated seismicity or ground deformation beneath the lower East Rift Zone, and Southwest Rift Zone activity remains low. Current activity is restricted to the summit and upper East Rift Zone region.
Analysis: Recent UERZ unrest may represent pulses of magma being supplied to the UERZ. An intrusive event occurred near Pauahi Crater over July 22–25, 2024, and another intrusive event happened near the same vicinity on August 20, 2024. Currently, the MERZ has not shown signs of increased unrest; however, magma has recently re-established a path to Kīlauea’s MERZ. Unrest could potentially extend to the MERZ with continued magma supply.
A reference map of the UERZ is available here: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/kilauea-upper-east-rift-zone-reference-map
A reference map of the MERZ is available here: https://www.usgs.gov/maps/kilauea-middle-east-rift-zone-reference-map
For more information about the meaning of volcano alert levels and aviation color codes, see https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes.
Updates: The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is watching the situation closely and is in close contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Additional messages will be issued as needed. Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption; however, conditions could change quickly.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will continue to provide daily updates for Kīlauea volcano. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued. HVO is in close contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park website will have information about any temporary closures: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/newsreleases.htm
Recent Eruption Information: Kīlauea erupted briefly on June 3, 2024, southwest of the summit region within a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. For more information about this eruption, see this webpage: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/june-2024-kilauea-southwest-rift-zone-eruption.
Hazards: Shallow magma movement can produce minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features, which can affect the landscape, human activity, and infrastructure. These ground cracks can continue to widen and offset as magma migration continues, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided.
Hazards remain around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of the rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since early 2008.
Near the recent Southwest Rift Zone eruption site, minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features may continue to widen and offset, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided. Hazards associated with the recent lava flows include glassy (sharp) surfaces that can cause serious abrasions, and lacerations upon contact with unprotected or exposed skin; uneven and rough terrain that can lead to falls and other injuries; or, locally elevated levels of volcanic gases that can lead to breathing difficulty.
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.
Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.
More Information:
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Parkvisitor 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/photo-and-video-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/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/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
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
