40 earthquakes recorded beneath Kīlauea summit over the past day

More than 40 earthquakes were recorded beneath the Kīlauea summit over the past day.

While the volcano is not erupting, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption, however, there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time.

Magma has been pressurizing the system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region, activating seismicity in the upper East Rift Zone, and in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu.

Heightened seismic unrest is occurring at depths averaging 0.6–1.9 miles beneath the surface, with magnitudes below M2.0.

Ground deformation continued at low rates beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region over the past day. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter northwest of the summit recorded inflation. The Sand Hill tiltmeter southwest of the summit also recorded inflation. Sulfur dioxide gas emission rates remain low.

An SO2 emission rate of approximately 61 tonnes per day was recorded on May 21.

Rates of seismicity beneath the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone are low. Rates of ground deformation are low. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone remain below detection limits for SO2, indicating that SO2 emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible.

At this time, it is not possible to say whether this increase in activity will lead to an intrusion or an eruption in the near future, or simply continue as seismic unrest at depth. Changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption, but there are no signs of imminent eruption at this time.