3 June 2024
Panorama from Sunday evening of Halemaʻumaʻu and down-dropped caldera floor from the west rim of the Kīlauea summit caldera, looking east. (Image from U.S. Geological Survey webcam)
Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island is not erupting, but unrest has heightened even more throughout Sunday, causing the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to raise the volcano’s alert level.
The Volcano Alert level for Kīlauea was raised to watch at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday as increased earthquake activity and ground deformation at the volcano’s summit, which began at about noon Sunday, indicate the likely movement of magma in the subsurface.
Rates of seismicity and deformation increased further after 5 p.m.
At this time, it is not possible to say with certainty if the increased activity will lead to an eruption — the activity could remain below ground.
However, an eruption in Kīlauea’s summit region within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is one potential outcome.
The volcano’s aviation code also was raised from yellow to orange.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of increasing activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued.
Rates of seismicity and ground deformation beneath the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone remain low. Current activity is restricted to the summit region.
Residents and visitors should stay informed and follow Hawai‘i County and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guidelines.
For more information about the meaning of volcano alert levels and aviation color codes, click here.
Updates also can be found online.