Hawaiian Volcano Update: Big Ground Movements Near Kīlauea’s East Rift
August 1, 2024
By the end of last week, the earthquake swarm associated with Kīlauea’s Upper East Rift intrusion dwindled to close, with seismic events continuing near its margins at a much lower rate. After the earthquakes decreased, Kīlauea’s summit began to reinflate, suggesting the magma supply between the summit and East Rift was disrupted at that time. However, ground deformation continues with big ground movements especially to the east of the intrusion area near Maunaulu. According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, these signals “likely reflect local adjustments due to changes in pressurization from the intrusion. This activity does not currently indicate intrusion growth via new magma being supplied from the summit. Additional swarms may occur with little or no warning and result in either the intrusion of additional magma or eruption of lava.”
That said, it appears the intruded magma may be redistributing itself within the middle East Rift as far as Napau crater, with the most intense ground movements near Makaopuhi crater. This area is roughly 2 to 5 miles uprift of Puʻuʻōʻō, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and posing no increased threat to people. Over Kīlauea’s modern history, eruptions have an affinity for this section of the middle East Rift, such that the current activity is not unusual. Volcanic gas remains the primary threat to people, with emissions currently around the volcanic background rates of around 65 tonnes per day of SO2, still of concern for sensitive individuals nearby.
Three closely spaced earthquakes shook Kīlauea’s central south flank on Monday measuring magnitudes 3.7, 3.5 and 3.4, and likely reflect the continuing adjustment of the flank to moving magma. As these adjustments continue, further flank earthquakes remain possible and will likely influence the course of coming events.
Maunaloa volcano remains quiet, continuing to recharge in the normal pattern following its 2022 eruption, with perhaps only minor visible influence from neighboring Kīlauea.
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.
