Kīlauea Volcano showing signs of unrest with the increase of earthquakes over the past week

Kīlauea volcano is not erupting, however the summit is showing signs of unrest as the average number of daily earthquakes has increased from 20 to more than 40 in during the past week.

Ground deformation rates are also high at the summit of Kīlauea, similar to conditions before the June 7, 2023, eruption. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

The week’s earthquakes peaked at 100 on Sunday, including a magnitude-4.3 tumbler that was felt across the Island of Hawaiʻi. Most other earthquakes were smaller than magnitude-2 and primarily occurred at 0–2 km depth beneath Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera, including Halemaʻumaʻu) but also extended northeast towards Kīlauea Iki Crater and along the southern end of the caldera.

The increase in seismicity at Kīlauea summit on Sunday was accompanied by a brief increase in the rate of ground tilt, which has since returned to steady-state. Gas emissions remain low, reflective of the current lack in eruptive activity at the summit.

These observations indicate that magma is accumulating beneath the surface of Kīlauea’s summit region. The elevated unrest suggests that an eruption at Kīlaueaʻs summit might be possible with little or no warning, but there is no sign that an eruption is imminent.