Activity Summary:  Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Seismicity continues beneath the upper East Rift Zone. Inflation continues in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu. This activity is similar to conditions at Kīlauea prior to last week's period of heightened unrest.

Summit and upper East Rift Zone Observations: Earthquake counts have decreased to approximately 70 earthquakes the past 24 hours compared to over 350 per day at the peak of the unrest. Earthquake locations remain focused primarily from the southeast side of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) beneath Keanakākoʻi crater extending to the intersection with Hilina Pali Road. Seismicity has returned to the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu with approximately 10 earthquakes in that region in the past 24 hours. Earthquake depths have averaged 2-4 km (1.2-3.1 miles) beneath the surface, and magnitudes have not exceeded M2.5 in the past 24 hours, with the majority below M2.0.

Ground deformation continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south side of Kalaupele and Keanakākoʻi crater following a brief cessation related to a local deflation-inflation (DI) event beneath Halemaʻumaʻu. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter began recording inflation at approximately 4:30 AM yesterday, which has continued into this morning. The Sandhill tiltmeter is once again recording accelerated uplift at rates similar to those prior to and during last week's seismic unrest.

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 relatively low. 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: The decrease in both seismicity and ground deformation indicates that the pulse of unrest that began on April 27 concluded by noon on May 3. Resumption of heightened seismic unrest could occur at any time, most likely in the upper East Rift Zone, within Kaluapele, or south of Kaluapele.

Information Statement Issued 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.