Hawaiian Volcano Update: After Eruption, Kīlauea Recharges + Slightly Deeper Quakes, October 3, 2024

Kīlauea has remained fairly quiet following its September eruption at Nāpau Crater on the East Rift, with the eruption site continuing to weakly steam and glow after two weeks. Monitoring signal “data show that magma is continuing to move at a low rate from the summit to the middle East Rift Zone” according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. “Future intrusive episodes and eruptions could occur with continued magma supply” even with greatly reduced deformation and earthquake rates since the eruption. Recently, earthquakes have clustered more frequently beneath the summit, slightly deeper than the magma reservoirs near the base of the volcanic pile. While the relation is not exactly clear, it also appears the rate of magma into the volcano at depth remains high, suggesting Kīlauea won’t remain quiet for long.

Gas emissions are also back to the volcanic background near 60 tonnes of SO2 per day from the summit, while gas emissions are no longer being detected from the recent eruption site. Although not of significant concern at present, this is the greatest volcanic threat to people at present, especially those with respiratory sensitivities. There has been no apparent effect of Kīlauea’s activity on neighboring Maunaloa, which continues its usual pattern.

As usual, we review the monitoring signals, imagery, and reports available courtesy of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, annotating the presentation on screen as we go and discussing live viewer questions.

To support our productions please like, share and subscribe, and consider making a donation at https://hveri.org/donate .