Alert Level: NORMAL, Color Code: GREEN 2020-09-03 20:31:48 UTC



HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY MONTHLY UPDATE

U.S. Geological Survey

Thursday, September 3, 2020, 10:31 AM HST (Thursday, September 3, 2020, 20:31 UTC)

Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Monitoring data for the month of August show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018.



Observations: There were approximately 950 earthquakes during the month of August at Kīlauea, a decrease of roughly 10% from the number of July earthquakes. Of these, one was a M4.2 under the Pāhala region/Kīlauea SWRZ.



Over the past month, summit tiltmeters recorded 12 deflation-inflation events–an slight decrease from last month's total. The long-term trend of deformation at Kilauea's summit and middle East Rift Zone continue to show inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. GPS stations on Kīlauea's south flank continue to show elevated rates of seaward motion. HVO continues to carefully monitor all data streams along the Kīlauea East Rift Zone and south flank for important changes.



Sulfur dioxide emission rates are low at the summit, consistent with no significant shallowing of magma. Some amount of sulfur dioxide is being dissolved into shallow groundwater and the crater lake at the bottom of Halema'uma'u; work continues to try and quantify this process. As of September 1st, the lake depth was approximately 43 meters or 140 feet. The crater lake was last sampled by UAS in January and additional sampling with UAS is planned. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are below detection limits at Puʻu ʻŌʻō and the lower East Rift Zone



Although not currently erupting, areas of persistently elevated ground temperatures and minor release of gases are still found in the vicinity of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone fissures. These include steam (water), very small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide. These conditions are expected to be long-term. Similar conditions following the 1955 eruption continued for years to decades.



Hazards: Hazards remain in the lower East Rift Zone eruption area and at the Kīlauea summit. Residents and visitors near the 2018 fissures, lava flows, and summit collapse area should heed Hawaii County Civil Defense and National Park warnings. Lava flows and features created by the 2018 eruption are primarily on private property and persons are asked to be respectful and not enter or park on private property.



The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor geologic changes, seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions for any sign of increased activity at Kīlauea. HVO maintains visual surveillance of the volcano with web cameras and field visits. Additional messages and alert level changes will be issued as warranted by changing activity.



Background Since June 25 2019, Kīlauea Volcano has been at NORMAL/GREEN. For definitions of USGS Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html. Kīlauea remains an active volcano, and it will erupt again. Although we expect clear signs prior to the next eruption, the time frame of warning may be short. Island of Hawaiʻi residents should be familiar with the long-term hazard map for Kīlauea Volcano (https://pubs.usgs.gov/mf/1992/2193/) and should stay informed about Kīlauea activity.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY MONTHLY UPDATE

U.S. Geological Survey

Thursday, August 6, 2020, 9:12 AM HST (Thursday, August 6, 2020, 19:12 UTC)

Activity Summary: Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Monitoring data for the month of July show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018.



Observations: Monitoring data have shown no significant changes in volcanic activity in July.



There were fewer than 1100 earthquakes during the month of July at Kīlauea, an approximate 10 percent decrease in the number of earthquakes detected in June. Of these, two were stronger than magnitude-4 earthquakes, with focal mechanisms consistent with slip along the south flank basal detachment.



Over the past month, summit tiltmeters recorded 16 deflation-inflation events–an increase over last month's total. In the middle East Rift Zone, the increased deformation rates that began in March 2020, consistent with an episode of rift inflation west of Highway 130, and that lessened and flattened during May, have returned to their pre-March trend. The long-term trend of deformation at Kilauea's summit and middle East Rift Zone continue to show inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. GPS stations on Kīlauea's south flank continue to show elevated rates of seaward motion. HVO continues to carefully monitor all data streams along the Kīlauea East Rift Zone and south flank for important changes.



Sulfur dioxide emission rates are low at the summit, consistent with no significant shallowing of magma. Some amount of sulfur dioxide is being dissolved into shallow groundwater and the crater lake at the bottom of Halema'uma'u; work continues to try and quantify this process. As of July 31st, the lake depth was approximately 41 meters or 135 feet. The crater lake was last sampled by UAS in January and additional sampling with UAS is planned. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are below detection limits at Puʻu ʻŌʻō and the lower East Rift Zone



Although not currently erupting, areas of persistently elevated ground temperatures and minor release of gases are still found in the vicinity of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone fissures. These include steam (water), very small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide. These conditions are expected to be long-term. Similar conditions following the 1955 eruption continued for years to decades.



Hazards: Hazards remain in the lower East Rift Zone eruption area and at the Kīlauea summit. Residents and visitors near the 2018 fissures, lava flows, and summit collapse area should heed Hawaii County Civil Defense and National Park warnings. Lava flows and features created by the 2018 eruption are primarily on private property and persons are asked to be respectful and not enter or park on private property.



The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor geologic changes, seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions for any sign of increased activity at Kīlauea. HVO maintains visual surveillance of the volcano with web cameras and field visits. Additional messages and alert level changes will be issued as warranted by changing activity.



Background Since June 25 2019, Kīlauea Volcano has been at NORMAL/GREEN. For definitions of USGS Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html. Kīlauea remains an active volcano, and it will erupt again. Although we expect clear signs prior to the next eruption, the time frame of warning may be short. Island of Hawaiʻi residents should be familiar with the long-term hazard map for Kīlauea Volcano (https://pubs.usgs.gov/mf/1992/2193/) and should stay informed about Kīlauea activity.

(VNUM #332010)19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMALCurrent Aviation Color Code: GREENHualalai (NORMAL/GREEN), Mauna Kea (NORMAL/GREEN), Haleakala (NORMAL/GREEN), Loihi Seamount (UNASSIGNED/UNASSIGNED).Kilauea Activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862Other Hawaiian volcanoes summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8877Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/Kilauea Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.htmlKilauea Photos/video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.htmlKilauea Lava flow maps: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.htmlHaleakala Summary: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/haleakala/Hualalai Summary: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/hualalai/Loihi Summary: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/loihi/Mauna Kea Summary: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_kea/Definitions of terms used in update: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdfSummary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdfRecent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.htmlaskHVO@usgs.govThe Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi.(VNUM #332010)19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMALCurrent Aviation Color Code: GREENHualalai (NORMAL/GREEN), Mauna Kea (NORMAL/GREEN), Haleakala (NORMAL/GREEN), Loihi Seamount (UNASSIGNED/UNASSIGNED).Activity summary for Mauna Loa is also available by phone: (808) 967-8866Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/multimedia_webcams.htmlPhotos/video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/multimedia_chronology.htmlFAQs of Mauna Loa: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/faq_maunaloa.htmlSummary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hawaii_hazards.htmlRecent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.htmlExplanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.htmlaskHVO@usgs.govThe Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi.