Hawaiian Volcano Update: Kīlauea Slows Post-Eruption, Wildfire Out, EQ Awareness, October 17, 2024

Last week’s smoldering wildfire near Nāpau Crater was last visible four days ago on USGS webcams and is likely out, while Kīlauea’s ongoing magma recharge appears to have slightly slowed. The volcano’s summit and south caldera regions have been gradually inflating since the September 20-25 eruption, while the Middle East Rift west of Puʻuʻōʻō and the eruption site at Nāpau has shown less change relative to the previous week. “Rates of seismicity and ground deformation have greatly decreased since the eruption, but data show that magma is continuing to move at a low rate from the summit to the middle East Rift Zone. Future intrusive episodes and eruptions could occur with continued magma supply” according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. This week’s Volcano Watch also brings up the possibilities of increased south flank earthquakes following the recent eruption, or less likely, of pit crater formation by collapse. As always, we await what Kīlauea will present next.

Earthquakes counts were reduced over the past week especially in the shallower depths, with deep seismicity at Pāhala contributing more than usual. Gas emissions are 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 of lesser concern, this is the greatest volcanic threat to people at present, especially those with respiratory sensitivities. Neighboring Maunaloa continues its usual pattern with earthquakes again greatly reduced, nothing unusual within the variations of its long-term recharge following the 2022 eruption.

Today brought the yearly occurrence of the Great Hawaiʻi Shake Out, an earthquake preparedness drill coordinated on 10/17 at 10:17am that emphasizes the response of “Drop! Cover! Hold on!” Our special segment today revisits the patterns of earthquakes in Hawaiʻi, including a 5-year old interview with then-HVO seismologist Dr. Brian Shiro. He discusses some of the nuances on-island such as the deep earthquakes under Pāhala, the south flank, how big earthquakes can get here, and what to do personally when they occur.

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. 

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