Hawai'i Volcano Blog

Unrest escalates at Kīlauea; more than 500 earthquakes rock upper East Rift Zone

While there are no signs of an imminent eruption, the largest of these earthquakes were four magnitude-3.0 events near the intersection between Chain of Craters Road and Hilina Pali Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Kīlauea summit rumbles with more than 300 earthquakes

The Big Island volcano is not erupting, but that seismic activity during the past day is more than triple the rate from several days ago.

Volcano Watch – In remembrance of Ed Brown, HVO ‘ohana

Ed was a natural and gifted problem solver, and he worked closely with observatory staff to understand their challenges and needs.

Volcano Watch: Petrologists gather to discuss challenges and goals in understanding Kīlauea chemistry

In May of this year, a group of volcano geochemists and petrologists (scientists who study the chemistry, textures and origins of volcanic rocks) met in Hilo to discuss how to improve our understanding of magma storage and evolution at Kīlauea with these considerations in mind.

Volcano Watch – A decade later, remembering the Pāhoa lava flow crisis

Ten years ago, inflation at Puʻuʻōʻō in May and June led to a new eruptive episode on the northeast flank of the cone.

Trails reopen within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park following brief Kīlauea eruption

Maunaiki Trail and Kaʻū Desert Trail past the Footprints Exhibit remain closed due to elevated gases and other volcanic hazards that remain at the eruption site.

Volcano Watch — Keeping up with Kīlauea

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory goes into detail about the latest Kīlauea eruption.

Be mindful of continuing gas emissions, including vog, from recent Kīlauea eruption

While the lava flow has ceased, air quality levels are slightly elevated at the Pāhala and Nāʻālehu air quality monitoring stations.

Update: Kīlauea eruption within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has paused

The new eruption first began at about 12:30 a.m. today. The most recent eruption in this region was in December 1974, which lasted only about 6 hours. At this time, it is not possible to say how long this new eruption will last.

Volcano Watch — Beyond the lava: Mauna Loa’s deformation story

The most recent Mauna Loa eruptions in 1975, 1984, and 2022 each offer unique insights into this volcano’s eruptive behavior.

Pele stirring again as heightened unrest resumes beneath Kīlauea

At about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the number of earthquakes beneath the summit increased and low frequency energy pulses set in. Ground deformation also continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the south caldera area.

Volcano Watch: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory depends on reliable and secure IT solutions

One of the primary duties of IT personnel at HVO is supporting existing and emerging volcano monitoring and science goals. The observatory uses a variety of instruments to collect data on volcanic activity—including seismometers, gas analyzers, ground deformation sensors, and cameras.

Activity slows further at Kīlauea, returning to near background levels

It is not possible to say whether the recent heightened unrest and fluctuations in activity beneath the Big Island volcano will lead to an intrusion or eruption in the near future or simply continue as unrest. Changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for an eruption.

Activity up slightly with increase in quakes under Kīlauea caldera, upper East Rift Zone

Seismicity remains above background levels. Ground deformation also continues beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region. Magma has been pressurizing the system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and Kīlauea’s south caldera region for several weeks.

Volcano Watch: A fresh look at Kīlauea’s 1924 explosive deposits

This week, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists dig a little deeper and share new discoveries they are making about the erupsions 100 years ago by examining the ash deposited during the events.

Volcano Watch: The blast of the century at Kīlauea

Kīlauea began erupting explosively 100 years ago this week, for the first time in nearly a century. The eruption lasted for about 17 days, killing one person and injuring others.

Earthquakes continue beneath Kīlauea summit

Earthquakes are clustered in the upper East Rift Zone as well as the south caldera region.

About 230 earthquakes rattle Kīlauea with renewed uptick in unrest

About 140 of the temblors from Monday to Tuesday morning were located in the upper East Rift Zone, from Keanakākoʻi crater to the intersection with Hilina Pali Road. The other 90 were located in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu.

Kīlauea earthquakes abating – volcano saw more than 350 quakes per day last week

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory notes inflation is occurring in the caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu – activity similar to conditions prior to last week’s period of heightened unrest.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park reopens roads as Kīlauea calms

Areas accessed by Chain of Craters Road, including coastal backcountry sites, Hilina Pali Road, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, Nāpau, and Pepeiao Cabin are now open.
Load More Articles