USGS raises Kilauea alert level as earthquakes increase

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has increased alert levels at Kilauea volcano after earthquake activity increased Sunday.

The HVO raised the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from an “advisory” to a “watch.” The aviation color code was also raised from “yellow” to “orange.”

The U.S. Geological Survey said earthquakes and ground deformation at the summit began to increase at about noon Sunday. Scientists said this was an indication that magma was moving beneath the surface.

The earthquake and ground deformation rates began to increase more after 5 p.m. Sunday.

The U.S.G.S. earthquakes site listed at least 30 earthquakes of at least magnitude 2.5 at the summit between 4:50 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The strongest quake registered a magnitude 3.4.

Scientists said that it isn’t possible to say with certainty if this activity will lead to an eruption, and that the magma may remain below the surface. However, an eruption in the Kilauea summit region in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one possible outcome.

The U.S.G.S. also said the earthquake and ground deformation activity was only in the summit region, with no activity in the East Rift or Southwest Rift zones.

Kilauea last erupted in September 2023.

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