#seismicity

Captivating lava fountains burst from either one or both of the vents during each eruptive episode. However, as fascinating as those episodes are, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are equally as interested in what’s happening beneath the surface between episodes.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park made the decision after another heightened period of unrest began earlier this week as earthquake activity increased in the upper East Rift Zone, which continued into this morning, albeit at a much lesser rate.

At about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the number of earthquakes beneath the summit increased and low frequency energy pulses set in. Ground deformation also continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the south caldera area.

Seismicity remains above background levels. Ground deformation also continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region. Magma has been pressurizing the system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and Kīlauea’s south caldera region for several weeks.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory notes inflation is occurring in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu – activity similar to conditions prior to last week’s period of heightened unrest.

The overall decrease in seismicity and deformation suggests that this event is waning.

Periods of increased earthquake activity and rates of ground deformation can be expected to continue in this region.

Based on past historical activity, this event is much more likely to continue as an intrusion, but there is still a possibility of it ending in an eruption.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says that during the past day, moderate rates of seismicity have returned to the volcano’s southern summit region, extending from the area south of Halemaʻumau crater and southwest to the Koʻae fault zone.

HVO continues to monitor unrest in the summit and Southwest Rift Zone regions of Kīlauea, with increased rates of earthquakes and ground deformation indicating magma is moving in the area

The trail was temporarily closed because of increased seismicity in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea.

The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter north of the Big Island volcano’s caldera recorded a flat trend during the past 24 hours, with the Sand Hill tiltmeter just south of the caldera displaying the same.

Seismicity beneath the summit region, which began Oct. 4, also decreased with the change in deformation early Saturday morning and remained low as of about 9 a.m. Saturday.

Elevated seismicity decreased following the swarms and remains steady as of the morning of Aug. 16, but the activity is still elevated compared to the previous week.

It’s been a little more than three weeks since the lava supply to the lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island ceased March 7 and the eruption paused.

Two recent magnitude-4-plus earthquakes and a spike last month in seismic activity at a underwater seamount have not affected volcanic activity on the Big Island, according to a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist.