Activity Summary:  Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Elevated seismicity beneath the upper East Rift Zone and inflation in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu that began on April 27 continues. 

Summit and upper East Rift Zone Observations: Over the past few days, earthquake locations have been focused primarily from the southeast side of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) beneath Keanakākoʻi crater extending to the intersection with Hilina Pali Road. Earthquake counts have not changed significantly in the past three days; there have been approximately 280 earthquakes in this area over the past 24 hours. There have been few earthquakes in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu over this same period. Depths remain concentrated between 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) beneath the surface with scattered shallower and deeper earthquakes. Most earthquake magnitudes have been below M2.5 with the vast majority below M2.0. A series of moderate earthquakes began at 3:50 PM yesterday and lasted approximately 30 minutes with the largest earthquake, a M3.1, felt by communities near the summit. 

Ground deformation continues with ongoing uplift beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and in the region extending from the south end of Kalaupele to the area south of Keanakākoʻi crater . Just before 11:30 PM, the Uēkahuna tiltmeter began recording a deflationary signal, part of a local deflation-inflation (DI) event beneath Halemaʻumaʻu.. The Sandhill tiltmeter continues to record steady inflation with minor changes related to DI events in the southern area.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas emission rates remain low. An SO₂ emission rate of approximately 62 tonnes per day was recorded on May 2nd. 

Rift Zone Observations: All seismic activity on the East Rift Zone is confined to the upper East Rift Zone, with no significant earthquakes occurring past the Pauahi Crater. At this time, Seismicity south of Kaluapele and  in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone remains low overall. Measurements from continuous gas monitoring stations downwind of Puʻuʻōʻō in the middle East Rift Zone—the site of 1983–2018 eruptive activity—continue to be below detection limits for SO₂, indicating that SO₂ emissions from Puʻuʻōʻō are negligible. 

Analysis: At this time, it is not possible to say with certainty if this increase in activity will lead to an intrusion or eruption in the near future – or simply continue as seismic unrest at depth. Based on past activity in the upper East Rift Zone, the current activity is more likely to result in an intrusion rather than an eruption. However, changes in the location of unrest and the potential for eruption can occur rapidly.

INFORMATION STATEMENT MAY 2, 2024: An information statement summarizing the event since April 27, including interpretation and possible outcomes, can be found here:  Kīlauea Information Statement: summit region heightened unrest continues; no eruptive activity. | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

Updates: The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will provide daily updates while at a heightened state of unrest. 

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of increasing activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued.   

Hazards are still present on Kīlauea and are described below. Residents and visitors should stay informed and follow County of Hawai‘i and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guidelines.