Hawaiian Volcano Update: Kīlauea Earthquake Pattern Shifts

Over the past week, Kīlauea’s shallow earthquakes diminished but continue in association with the ongoing Southwest Rift and south caldera intrusion, and the recent deformation patterns appear unchanged. Around the same time, a deeper set of earthquakes beneath the summit magma reservoirs flared up over the first part of the week, but have slowed in the past couple of days.

The situation largely remains the same, with no increased volcanic hazard to people and the potential for a short ramp-up to eruption within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Gas emissions remain at background levels for the volcano around 100 tonnes of SO2 per day, but can still affect sensitive individuals in downwind areas.

Maunaloa's deep earthquakes resumed this week, while its south flank may have adjusted based on small GPS signal variations. Overall Maunaloa remains relatively quiet, still inflating as it recharges with magma, 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.