The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has recently observed a significant spike in seismic activities within Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone. These events, which began at 11 a.m. on July 22, involved local ground deformation, indicating the onset of magma intrusion in the region.
This heightened activity is focused between Pauahi Crater and Maunaulu, along Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Early on July 23, at 3:30 a.m., there was a stronger surge of seismic activity and local deformation coinciding with deflation at Kīlauea’s summit. This deflation has persisted as magma advances into a vertical, sheet-like dike beneath the rift zone near Pauahi Crater.
A third wave of activity began at 10 a.m. today, continuing the process of dike emplacement. Each pulse of activity lasted around two to three hours, but seismic activity and deformation remained elevated between these pulses. Over the past three days, nearly 1,000 earthquakes have been recorded in Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone, with about a quarter of these quakes exceeding magnitude-2. The largest tremor reached a magnitude of 3.6, with quakes occurring at depths between 0.6 to 1.8 miles.
As of 4:30 p.m. today, the dike continues to expand, and fluctuations in magma input may cause ongoing unrest. While an eruption is not currently anticipated, rapid changes remain possible. No unusual activity has been detected in Kīlauea’s middle and lower East Rift Zones or the Southwest Rift Zone.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, managed by the US Geological Survey, continues to monitor Kīlauea closely for any changes in activity.
