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

Kῑlauea Volcano is not erupting and its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL. For definitions of USGS Volcano Alert Levels, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html.

Rates of seismicity, deformation, and gas release have not changed significantly over the past week. Deformation signals are consistent with refilling of Kīlauea’s deep East Rift Zone (ERZ) magma reservoir. Sulfur dioxide emission rates on the ERZ and at Kīlauea’s summit remain low.

Three earthquakes with three or more felt reports occurred in Hawaiʻi this past week: a magnitude-3.1 quake 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Kahaluʻu-Keauhou at 2 km (1 mi) depth on May 4 at 12:01 p.m. HST; a magnitude-2.9 quake 10 km (6 mi) south of Leilani Estates at 7 km (4 mi) depth on May 3 at 1:20 p.m. HST; and a magnitude-3.3 quake 16 km (10 mi) south of Fern Acres at 7 km (4 mi) depth on May 3 at 4:28 a.m. HST.  

Hazards remain at the lower ERZ and summit of Kīlauea. Residents and visitors near the 2018 fissures, lava flows, and summit collapse area should heed Hawai‘i County Civil Defense and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closures and warnings. 

The USGS Volcano Alert level for Mauna Loa remains at NORMAL.

HVO continues to closely monitor both KÄ«lauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity.

Please visit HVO’s website (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call 808-967-8862 for weekly Kīlauea updates. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.