Hawaiian Volcano Update: Kīlauea Small Quakes Continue

Our thoughts are with the people of Lāhainā and Maui as they emerge from their catastrophic and deadly wildfires. Out of consideration for people and communities who are still awaiting news of missing loved ones, we abbreviate today's update. Similar to the week prior, small earthquake flurries continued beneath Kīlauea's summit area, though this past week was highlighted by yesterday's magnitude 3.2. Inflation is also still ongoing, a result of the slow, long-term build-up of magma within the volcano following its most recent eruption in June.

Gas emissions are volcanically-low around 120 tonnes per day, but still sufficient to impact nearby downwind communities as the primary volcanic hazard at this time. There are no signs of unusual activity along either rift zone according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and thus no increased threat to people, even as Kīlauea's south flank still adjusts to the steadily swelling summit. Maunaloa's deep earthquakes have slowed, and otherwise the volcano still remains quiet on its surface. Inflation continues there as well as the mountain's magma reservoirs refill following the 2022 eruption. Our live presentation reviews the recent changes using monitoring data and reports courtesy of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. As usual, we annotate the presentation on-screen and discuss live viewer questions.