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HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice
volcano: Kilauea (VNUM#332010)
Current Volcano Alert Level: Warning
Previous Volcano Alert Level: Warning
Current Aviation Color Code: Orange
Previous aviation color code: Yellow
release: Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 4:06 AM HST
source: Hawaii Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2024/H178
Place: 19 degrees 25 minutes north latitude 155 degrees 17 minutes west longitude
altitude: 4091 feet (1247 meters)
area: Hawaii
Summary of Volcanic Activity:
Kilauea is not erupting. Seismic activity and ground deformation in the upper eastern rift zone of Kilauea began increasing at approximately 3:30 a.m. (Hawaii Standard Time) on July 23, 2024, indicating that underground magma may be moving. As a result, the USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO) raised the surface hazardous volcano alert level from warning to caution and the aviation color code from yellow to orange.
The center of seismic activity is located near Pauahi Crater. The situation is evolving rapidly, and it is not certain at this time whether this activity will lead to an eruption; the activity may remain underground. An eruption in the Upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one possible eruption. It is not certain where the eruption may occur, but based on past patterns of eruptive activity in the area, the area between Hi’iaka Crater and Maunaulu in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park may be at risk for new lava eruptions. Eruptions have occurred in the past in this area between Hi’iaka Crater and Maunaulu in the Upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea, with eruptions lasting from a few hours to about a month. The location of future eruptions will determine which areas may become paths for new lava flows.
A map of past volcanic eruption activity can be viewed here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-cruising-chain-craters-road-recent-earthquakes-and-past.
HVO will continue to monitor Kilauea closely and if there are significant changes in volcanic activity, a new Volcanic Activity Warning will be issued.
HVO is in close communication with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Due to increased activity, temporary closures have been implemented: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20240722-earthquakes.htm
Hazards exist at Kilauea Volcano as described below. Residents and visitors should stay informed and follow guidelines from the County of Hawai’i and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
For more information on volcanic alert levels and the meaning of aviation color codes, see https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes
Recent observations:
(Volcanic cloud height) N/A
(Other volcanic cloud information) N/A
(Lava Flow/Dome) N/A
(Trajectory) N/A
(Lava Flow) N/A
Comment:
Hazard Analysis:
Shallow magma movement and eruptions can produce minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features that can affect the landscape, human activities, and infrastructure. As magma continues to migrate, these ground fractures may continue to widen and shift, and unstable overhanging edges may occur, so they should be avoided.
If an eruption occurs, the initial phase is dynamic and conditions around the erupting fissures can change rapidly. Additional ground openings and lava eruptions may occur at any time around active fissures, or existing fissures may reactivate. Lava flows in Hawaii typically move slowly downward and are out of the way. They destroy everything in their path, including vegetation and infrastructure—cutting off road access and utilities. Hazards associated with active or recent lava flows include hot and glassy (sharp) surfaces that can cause severe burns, abrasions, and lacerations if they come in contact with unprotected or exposed skin; uneven and rugged terrain that can cause falls and other injuries; high temperatures that can cause heat stroke or dehydration, or, in heavy rains, a moist ground fog that can be acidic, severely limit visibility, and sometimes make breathing difficult.
High concentrations of volcanic gases—primarily water vapor (H2O) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) – emitted during a volcanic eruption, which may have a profound impact in the downwind direction.2 The released gases react in the atmosphere to form a visible haze, or smog, which can be observed downwind from the crater. Smog can become airborne and pose a health hazard to residents and visitors, damage crops and other vegetation, and affect livestock. For more information on gas hazards at the summit of Kilauea, see:https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20173017. Vog information can be found athttps://vog.ivhhn.org.
Other significant hazards around Kīlauea Crater include unstable Halemaumau crater walls, ground cracking and rock falls, which can be exacerbated by earthquakes in the enclosed area. This highlights the extreme danger of the rim around Halemaumau Crater, which has been closed to the public since early 2008.
For a discussion of the Kilauea volcano hazard, see:https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.
The Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO) continues to closely monitor Kilauea.
See the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information:https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.
Contact information:
Next notification:
Kilauea Volcano updates will be posted daily. If there are significant changes in volcanic activity, a new VAN will be issued. Regular updates are posted on the HVO website at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates
More information:
Subscribe to these news: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/
Summary of volcanic eruption hazards: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards
Recent earthquakes in Hawaii (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo
Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes
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