More than 130 earthquakes recorded in past 24 hours as unrest continues at Kīlauea summit

More than 130 earthquakes were recorded during the past 24 hours in the Kīlauea summit region as unrest continues at the Big Island volcano.

Inflation at the summit also remains at about its highest level in more than 5 years, returning to nearly the level seen just before the last eruption Sept. 10, which lasted less than a week.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s daily update for Kīlauea at just before 9 a.m. today, an eruption in the region from Halemaʻumaʻu south to the December 1974 vents could emerge with little notice during peaks in this activity.

The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter located north of the caldera recorded very slight inflation during the past 24 hours. The Sand Hill tiltmeter located just south of the caldera went off scale during the peak of activity Oct. 6, but was reset and is showing continued inflation; however, at a lower rate. GPS units in the south end of the caldera and farther south also show continued uplift of the area.

Elevated seismicity is being recorded beneath the south end of Kīlauea caldera and extends to the southwest along the trend of December 1974 vents. Seismicity increased Oct. 4, peaking at more than 250 earthquakes per day Oct. 5-6, and continues dispersed throughout the area.

Most of the earthquakes from the seismic swarm south of the caldera are at depths of about 0.3 to 2.5 miles below the surface.

Sulfur dioxide emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day Oct. 6.

No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East or Southwest rift zones.

For discussion about Kīlauea hazards, click here. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitor information can be found here.

A live webcam at Halemaʻumaʻu crater can also be viewed on YouTube.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor Kīlauea.