Volcano Activity Update: April 13, 2017

A small delta at the Kamokuna ocean entry (left) continues to slowly build. Observations on April 10 indicated that the coastal plain breakouts that had been active since mid-February have died within the last few days. Currently, the only active surface flows are from the March 5 breakout on the upper flow field. This activity has not significantly advanced and remains within roughly 2.2 miles of the episode 61g vent. The National Park Service viewing area and rope line are visible in the center of the photo. USGS photo.

Mauna Loa is not erupting. Kīlauea continues to erupt at its summit and East Rift Zone.

This past week, the summit lava lake level varied between about 71 and 95 feet below the vent rim.

The 61g flow was still active, with lava entering the ocean and building a small delta near Kamokuna and small surface breakouts flowing downslope of Puʻu ʻŌʻō on the pali and the coastal plain.

The 61g flows do not pose an immediate threat to nearby communities.

GPS measurements continue to show deformation related to inflation of a magma reservoir beneath the summit and upper Southwest Rift Zone.

No significant change in the gas output was noted this past week; the fumarole temperature continued to decrease.

During the past week, more than 150 earthquakes were located beneath the upper west flank of the volcano with a peak of just under 60 quakes on April 8.

Two earthquakes were reported felt on the Island of Hawai’i in the past week. On Monday, April 10, at 1:31 a.m. HST, a magnitude 3.1 earthquake occurred 9.1 miles northwest of Na‘alehu at a depth of .6 miles. On Wednesday, April 12, at 8:29 a.m. HST, a magnitude 3.5 earthquake occurred 2.3 miles southwest of Kīlauea Summit at a depth of 1.6 miles.

The Volcano Activity Update is a weekly article written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

Call for summary updates at (808) 967-8862 (Kīlauea) or (808) 967-8866 (Mauna Loa); email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.