Unrest reported at Kīlauea as 4.3 earthquake rattles Middle East Rift Zone

Earthquake activity has increased in Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone, near Makaopuhi Crater. Ground deformation patterns west (uprift) of Puʻuʻōʻō suggest that another intrusive event could be occurring in this region, but scientists with the Hawaiʻi Volcano Observatory say Kīlauea is not erupting at this time.

Increased earthquake activity began at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept, 14, 2024, in the region between Pauahi and Makaopuhi Craters. Since then, about 60 earthquakes have been detected. At 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, a 4.3 magnitude earthquake was reported in the summit region of Kīlauea, but authorities with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no tsunami was expected.

Starting around 6 p.m. on Saturday, ground deformation patterns west (uprift) of Puʻuʻōʻō began to show changes indicative of crack growth, suggesting that another intrusive event could be occurring in this region (similar to events that occurred in this general region in July and August of this year).

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is watching the situation closely and will issue additional messages as needed.  Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption; however, conditions could change quickly. Past eruptive activity in this area of Kīlauea’s upper-to-middle East Rift Zone has typically occurred between Hiʻiaka crater and Maunaulu in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Rates of seismicity and ground deformation beneath the lower East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone remain low. Current activity is restricted to the upper-to-middle East Rift Zone region of Kīlauea .

The Volcano Alert Level/Aviation Color Code for Kīlauea remains at ADVISORY/YELLOW.

A reference map of the middle East Rift Zone, with past lava flow extents, is posted below.

For more information about the meaning of volcano alert levels and aviation color codes, click here.