Volcano Alert Level raised then lowered after brief rise in earthquake activity at Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone

Update: 9:13 a.m., July 23, 2024

Earthquake and ground deformation rates in Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone decreased significantly following a “burst of intense activity” at approximately 3:30 a.m. HST on July 23, 2024. Accordingly, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has lowered the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from WATCH to ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code from ORANGE to YELLOW.     

HVO scientists say earthquake activity this morning was centered near Pauahi Crater in the upper East Rift Zone, along Chain of Craters Road in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

The HVO reports: “More than 100 events occurred between 3–9 a.m. at depths of 0.6–1.8 miles beneath the surface. Most events were smaller than magnitude-3, though there were eight events larger. The largest event was a magnitude-3.4. Earthquake activity was accompanied by an abrupt change in ground deformation patterns in the upper East Rift Zone, shown by the ESC tiltmeter. Tiltmeters in Kīlauea summit region did not show significant changes associated with this activity.”

According to a Volcanic Activity Summary issued at 9 a.m., “the onset of this morning’s upper East Rift Zone swarm was similar in intensity to that seen preceding Kīlauea summit eruptions of the past few years. This coupled with the sharp displacement on the ESC tiltmeter and strong clustering of these earthquakes in the area beneath Pauahi Crater suggests that an intrusion of magma began at 3:30 this morning.”

The HVO reports that additional seismic swarms may occur with little or no warning.

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Scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory raised the Volcano Alert Level at Kīlauea due to increased earthquake activity and ground deformation at the upper East Rift Zone early this morning. The observations indicate the “likely movement of magma in the subsurface.” The Alert Level for ground-based hazards was increased from ADVISORY to WATCH and the Aviation Color Code from YELLOW to ORANGE.   

HVO scientists say Kīlauea is not erupting, but “the situation is rapidly evolving, and, at this time, it is not possible to say with certainty if this activity will lead to an eruption.”

One possibility is that activity may remain below ground.  Another potential outcome is an eruption in Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, according to the HVO.

“It is not possible to say where such an outbreak may occur, but the area between Hiʻiaka crater and Maunaulu in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is potentially at risk for a new lava outbreak based on past patterns of eruptive activity in this area,” according to an information statement issued at 4:06 a.m. by the HVO.

The agency reports that past eruptions in this region of Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone, between Hiʻiaka crater and Maunaulu, occurred over hours to about a month.  

The HVO reports that earthquake activity is centered near Pauahi Crater.

Due to heightened seismic activity, Chain of Craters Road is temporarily closed at the Devastation intersection to the coast, Kulanaokuaiki Campground is closed, and Escape Road (trail) and Crater Rim Trail are closed south of Nāhuku. Updates are posted here.

Kīlauea erupted most recently briefly on Monday, June 3, southwest of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) within the closed area of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The half-day eruption lasted approximately 12 hours before pausing.  

Live Stream of Kīlauea Volcano at Halemaʻumaʻu crater: https://www.youtube.com/usgs/live