Kīlauea Summit Explosion Releases Energy Equivalent to 5.3 Earthquake

Background image courtesy USGS. Graphic: Maui Now

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that an explosive eruption at Kīlauea summit occurred at 4:49 a.m. There was no tsunami generated from the seismic event that released energy equivalent to a 5.3 (preliminary 5.4) magnitude earthquake.

The resulting ash plume may affect the surrounding areas with wind carrying ash to the southwest.

The USGS reports that the seismic event occurred at a depth of 0.2 km and was located:

4.0 mi WSW of Volcano, Hawaiʻi;
23.9 mi WSW of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiʻi;
25.3 mi SSW of Hilo, Hawaiʻi;
49.1 mi ESE of Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi; and
211.8 mi SE of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.