The alert level for Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano has been raised to “Orange/Watch” due to increased seismic activity detected at the summit. This upgrade from the previous “Yellow/Advisory” status was issued by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) on January 31, 2024, in response to the early morning observations of increased earthquake activity and ground inflation, indicating the movement of magma beneath the surface.
This heightened activity is part of the ongoing repressurization of the summit magma reservoir following the end of the September 2023 eruption. Tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff have recorded nearly 10 microradians of change since 4:00 a.m. HST on January 31. These instruments have shown highly variable directions and rates of tilt, which are typical indicators of shallow crack growth that can precede either an eruption or a shallow intrusion.
Despite the elevated alert level, the HVO emphasizes that Kilauea is not currently erupting, and it is uncertain whether this new activity will lead to an eruption. However, should an eruption occur, it is predicted to take place in or near Halemaʻumaʻu Crater or the region south of the Kilauea caldera, within the confines of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Additionally, the current earthquake activity has been concentrated at the southern part of the volcano’s caldera, a region far from residential areas, making it unlikely that any potential eruption would pose a direct threat to homes.
The HVO continues to closely monitor Kilauea for any signs of escalating activity, including increased rates of earthquakes or ground deformation, changes in gas emissions, and visual cues from webcam imagery. They also maintain vigilance over the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone, where seismicity remains low.
For more detailed information and updates on Kilauea Volcano, you can visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website and view the latest updates and webcams here.