Hawaiian Volcano Update: Kīlauea Quakes Ramp Up; Maunaloa Anniversary - Main Phase, December 5, 2024

Over the past two weeks, Kīlauea’s earthquakes have steadily increased to more than double their previous rates. Events are concentrated under the volcano’s summit, Upper East Rift Connector, and Middle East Rift near the recent eruption site at Nāpau Crater from this past September. Ground tilt and satellite monitors show inflation in these areas as magma backs up underground, but uplift does not reach as far as Puʻuʻōʻō crater on the rift, meaning the activity is fully contained within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and poses no increased threat to people at this time. 

Volcanic gas is currently the greatest volcanic threat, especially for those with respiratory sensitivities. Gas emissions are present at low levels from the summit, around the volcanic background at 70 tonnes of SO2 per day.

As Maunaloa marks its 2-year eruption anniversary through next week, the volcano is quietly refilling, following its same general pattern since the start of 2023. In commemoration of the milestone, we dive into the main phase of the 2022 eruption, as the Northeast Rift opens, Fissure 3 becomes established and builds cinder cones, and lava flows travel down the north flank towards the island’s saddle. We incorporate old & new time-lapses, review our coverage of the eruption including interviews with the Mayor, USGS & Civil Defense, and celebrate the popular viewing area set up in record time by all levels of government. Examining these details allows us to improve our response and better anticipate public issues during future eruptions, keeping our island communities safe.

As usual, we summarize 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. 

Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXrPy_-fnRA