Alert level lowered at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, but scientists warn situation could change quickly
Concerns of a possible eruption at Kilauea began over the weekend after hundreds of earthquakes rocked the mountain. That led to scientists briefly raising the alert level at the volcano from Advisory to Watch.
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One of the most active volcanoes on Earth, Kīlauea is the youngest volcano on Hawaii's Big Island and a central feature of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – The alert level at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been lowered after brief, intense swarm of earthquakes and ground deformation raised concerns of a possible eruption, but scientists warn that even though activity has slowed, the situation could change with "little to no warning."
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The USGS provided video from the first helicopter flight over the eruption of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano showing lava shooting from a massive fissure on Monday, June 3, 2024.
Concerns of a possible eruption at Kilauea began over the weekend after hundreds of earthquakes rocked the mountain. That led to scientists briefly raising the alert level at the volcano from Advisory to Watch.
The current alert level has now been lowered back to Advisory.
However, in an updated status report on Tuesday, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) said seismic activity and ground deformation rates decreased but remained elevated.
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"The pulsing nature of this activity may represent stages in intrusive activity beneath the upper East Rift Zone region," the HVO said. "Additional seismic pulses or swarms may occur with little to no warning and result in either continued intrusion of magma or eruption of lava."
The HVO stressed, however, that changes in the character and/or location of activity could occur quickly, as can the potential for an eruption at Kilauea.
There are currently no signs of an imminent eruption, but the HVO said it would continue to keep a close watch on the volcano and would provide additional updates should the situation change.