Increased earthquake activity prompts higher alert level at Kilauea

Update: 7am

Although Kilauea has not erupted, increased geological activity early this morning prompted the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) to raise its volcanic alert level and aviation color code.

The Croatian Seismological Observatory reported increased seismic activity and ground deformation in the upper East Kilauea Fault Zone at approximately 3:30 a.m., indicating possible movement of magma underground.

The agency subsequently raised the volcano alert level from warning to ground hazard warning, and raised the aviation color code from yellow to orange. Today's earthquake activity is concentrated near the crater of the Pauahi volcano.

In this case, the volcanic alert level of “Watch” and aviation color code orange indicate that the volcano is showing increasing or escalating unrest with an increased potential for eruption, with an uncertain time frame, according to the USGS.

“The situation is developing rapidly, and at this time, it is not possible to say with certainty whether this activity will lead to an eruption. The activity may remain underground,” officials at the Hydropower Authority said in a bulletin this morning.

One possible outcome is an eruption in the upper east rift zone of Kilauea Volcano within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

However, agency officials said it was not possible to pinpoint where such an eruption would occur, but the area between Hiiaka and Mauna Loa craters in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park “is at risk for a new eruption based on past patterns of eruptive activity in this area.”

Previous eruptions have occurred on Kilauea's upper east rift zone, between Hi'aka and Mauna'olo craters, over a period of hours to about a month.

As for the current hazards on Kilauea, the Environmental Protection Agency warns that shallow magma movement and eruptions could create minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features, which could impact landscapes, human activity and infrastructure. “These ground fractures could continue to widen and diverge as magma continues to migrate, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided.”

Volcanic Defense Agency officials said they will continue to monitor Kilauea closely and issue a new volcanic activity notice if volcanic activity changes significantly.

Previous coverage

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has temporarily closed some areas of the park, including the Crater Range Road, due to a sudden wave of earthquakes and ground deformation at the summit and upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that over the past two days, there have been 162 earthquakes, and in a two-hour period today, there were 38 earthquakes.

Of the 38 earthquakes, 35 had a magnitude of 1 to 3, and two had a magnitude of 3 to 4. The largest was a magnitude 3.1 earthquake.

The park confirmed in a press release that Kilauea has not erupted, but said activity began at about 11 a.m. Monday in the upper East Rift Zone, and if the volcano erupts, it could endanger visitors and staff, so the following areas have been closed:

>> Drilling chain road from the intersection at the Devastation parking lot to the coast

>> Kolanuakuaiki Camp

>> Crater rim path south of Nahoko lava tube

>> Coastal Hinterlands and Napao Sites. All new Hinterland permits in these areas have been cancelled.

>> Escape route from Nahuku to Maunaolo

“Closing areas is never an easy decision, but it is the right thing to do,” park superintendent Rhonda Loh said in a statement. “Safety is always our top priority. We remain in constant communication with scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and will continue to notify the public of any changes.”

The uncertainty of where a volcanic eruption will occur makes the potential risks greater for visitors and staff. These risks include high levels of volcanic gases, dangerous lava flows, devastating earthquakes, and lava-induced forest fires.

USGS scientists are closely monitoring conditions. “Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption; however, conditions could change rapidly,” a mid-afternoon report on its website said.

Many popular visitor areas remain open, including the Kilauea Visitor Center, which overlooks the Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House and Nahuku.

The park was very crowded, and the visitor center parking lot was full by 10 a.m. today.

Visitors should plan ahead and check the park's website for any closures or hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

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