Moderate levels of seismicity continue at Kīlauea summit

Unrest in the summit area of Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island has persisted at low seismic rates during the past 24 hours, with moderate levels of seismicity continuing after an earthquake swarm started Nov. 10.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Tuesday morning, the current activity has occurred immediately south of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, mostly within Kīlauea’s caldera, and extending along the Southwest Rift Zone.

The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter, located northwest of the caldera, was unchanged during the past 24 hours. The Sand Hill tiltmeter, located southwest of the caldera, resumed longer term trends during the same time period, suggesting inflation at a source south of Halemaʻumaʻu.

Overall, the summit of Kīlauea remains at a high level of inflation, above the level reached prior to the most recent eruption in September.

Unrest in Kīlauea’s southwest summit area associated with an intrusion of magma began in early October and might continue to wax and wane with changes to the magma’s input into the area.

There is no sign of an imminent eruption, but eruptive activity is possible in the coming weeks or months with little to no warning.

Increased inflation and earthquake activity are expected to precede an eruption. The onsets of previous summit eruptions have been marked by strong swarms of earthquakes caused by the emplacement of a dike 1 to 2 hours before eruptions.

No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone.

Sulfur dioxide emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day Oct. 19.

A map summarizing the recent unrest southwest of Kīlauea’s summit can be found online. For additional information, click here.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor the activity at Kīlauea.