#Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

These past eruptions outside Halemaʻumaʻu are evidence that such eruptions could also occur in the future; and while there have been ongoing earthquakes beneath Kīlauea’s summit, they are not indicative of an imminent eruption along the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu.

Conditions in and around the closed area at the summit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park can evolve quickly, and elevate the risk of rockfalls, ground cracking and other potentially life‑threatening hazards.

On Tuesday afternoon, shallow earthquakes are being detected beneath the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, as well as localized ground deformation in the south caldera region of Kīlauea summit.

Comparing different eruptions can be a bit like comparing apples to oranges. But no matter how you compare, the ongoing eruption made an impression in terms of its longevity, with two active vents and impacts to areas downwind, including the changing topography of the summit.

The outage started about 1:45 p.m. Saturday, April 11; despite the partial outage, remaining data coming into the observatory are sufficient to allow the observatory’s researchers to detect major changes at Hawaiian volcanoes.

As increased activity signals lava fountainin to begin within the next week, stay informed of the potential impacts, including ash and vog emissions, which may affect the north and northeast regions of Hawaiʻi Island.

There were no overflows from either of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruptive vents in the past 24 hours, according to the daily update from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the temblor struck about 2 miles east-northeast of Pāhala in Kaʻū on the south-southeast side of the island at a depth of just 2 miles; it had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.

With weather forecasts calling for a shift of winds coming from the south, visitors should be prepared for tephra, volcanic gas and potential temporary closures with upcoming Episode 44 of ongoing episodic eruption at Big Island volcano’s summit.

Forecasters say if lava fountaining happens, varying levels of ash, Pele’s hair and other lightweight tephra could fall downwind of the summit. Smaller particles can travel farther from the summit and could affect communities at greater distances.

A fountaining eruption at Kīlauea’s caldera is projected between April 6 to April 14, potentially impacting residents and visitors with ash and tephra.

After Episode 44 ends, assuming activity is similar to the first 43 episodes, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will lower alert level and aviation color code for Kīlauea one level lower than the current norm, to Advisory and Yellow, respectively.

Management of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park requires the use of aircraft to maintain park facilities and other operations; dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.

Geochemical analysis of erupted tephra samples during the past decade help scientists understand the temperature of Kīlauea’s shallow magma system under the summit — and things have been “heating up!”

The forecast window for episode 44 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption is between April 3 and 13.

Living in such a dynamic place as Hawaiʻi Island, it’s important to try to be aware and prepared for natural events that affect us; nature will continue to reshape the land in Hawaiʻi, and the recent Episode 43 lava fountaining fallout and kona low are recent reminders about how impactful such natural events can be.

As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that could experience tephra fallout.

Volcanic material as large as 6 inches was reported at Volcano Golf Course on Tuesday (March 10), with the village experiencing significant fallout; falling tephra caused closures of a portion of Highway 11, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, swimming pools and at least one school, emergency shelter opening and new summit webcam getting ‘clobbered.’

All eruptive activity was confined to Halemaʻumaʻu within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park; Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will provide additional details about Episode 43 in its next official report.

Overnight guests of Kīlauea Military Camp and Volcano House with reservations and identification will be allowed to enter the park, but must shelter in place.