Hawaiian Volcano Update: Intrusion Effects Spread Further South, Summit Inflation Slows

Another round of earthquakes peaked from October 26 to 30 south of Kīlauea's summit, following other ramp-ups from October 4-6, 16-18, and 21-23, consistent with variable input of magma into the area. GPS stations in that area, as far as Hilina Pali 7 miles from the summit, continue to show ground movement in response to the intrusion, perhaps even quickening in the past few days. However, signals at Kīlauea’s summit now lack inflation unlike the previous cycles, suggesting that intrusion effects have spread further south. The affected area is known mostly for previous intrusions with very few documented eruptions, but any eruption from that area would remain within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and not pose any direct threat to people, apart from the typical volcanic gasses.

Gas emissions remain at background levels for the volcano around 125 tonnes of SO2 per day, but can still affect sensitive individuals in downwind areas. Typically gas emissions are at their worst at the start of each eruption, thus now is the best time for those exposed to prepare.

Maunaloa's deep earthquakes continued this week, still accompanied by a small drop in summit tilt. Most events fall between 14 to 25 miles deep, or 20-40 kilometers, and may correlate with movement within Kīlauea's southwest flank which lies atop Maunaloa. Within its shallow, near-surface system, the mountain otherwise continues quietly filling following its 2022 eruption, and remains at the lowest USGS warning level.

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