(Activity updates are written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.)

Kilauea Volcano continues to be active.

A vent in Halemaumau Crater is emitting elevated amounts of sulfur dioxide gas and producing small amounts of ash. Resulting high concentrations of sulfur dioxide in downwind air have closed the south part of Kilauea caldera and produced occasional air quality alerts in more distant areas, such as Pahala and communities adjacent to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, during kona wind periods. 

Puu Oo also continues to produce significant amounts of sulfur dioxide. Trade winds tend to pool these emissions along the West Hawaii coast, while Kona winds blow these emissions into communities to the north, such as Mountain View, Volcano, and Hilo.

A deflation/inflation event at Kilauea’s summit early in the week caused no reported disruption in the supply of lava erupting from the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) vent at the eastern base of Puu Oo. Lava continues to enter the ocean at Waikupanaha and is rebuilding the delta there, which collapsed Saturday, Feb. 28. Thursday, March 5 marked the one-year anniversary of the start of the Waikupanaha ocean entry. Lava was also active on the coastal plain a few hundred yards from the ocean near Wahaula in the National Park.

It is unclear whether the Feb. 28 collapse was accompanied by an explosion.

Mauna Loa is not erupting. Three earthquakes were located beneath the summit this past week. Continuing extension between locations spanning the summit indicates slow inflation of the volcano, combined with slow eastward slippage of its east flank. 

Four earthquakes beneath Hawaii Island were reported felt within the past week. 

* A magnitude-2.2 earthquake occurred at 12:06 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, and was 8 miles north of Kailua at a depth of 22 miles. 

* A magnitude-2.2 earthquake occurred at 4:59 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and was 6 miles west of Kailua at a depth of 7 miles. 

* A magnitude-3.0 earthquake occurred at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, and was 16 miles southwest of Kailua at a depth of 24 miles. 

* A magnitude-2.9 earthquake occurred at 8:25 a.m. Thursday, March 5, and was 2 miles northeast of Puulena Crater at very shallow depth. 

Visit  hvo.wr.usgs.gov for daily Kilauea eruption updates, a summary of volcanic events over the past year, and nearly real-time Hawaii earthquake information. Kilauea daily update summaries are also available by phone at 967-8862. Questions can be emailed to askHVO@usgs.gov.