Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park continues to be seismically active, with 500 earthquakes over the weekend, but geologists say the volcano is not erupting.
Increased seismic activity is one sign of an imminent volcanic eruption, but predicting when an eruption might occur remains difficult.
Geologists with the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS HVO) said a “swarm” of hundreds of earthquakes occurred in Kilauea volcano’s Upper East Rift Zone beginning on the afternoon of June 27. By late Saturday night, seismic activity had increased to about 30 earthquakes per hour, according to the USGS.
More than 500 earthquakes were recorded in the upper East Rift Zone and surrounding areas from Saturday into Sunday. According to the USGS HVO, seismic activity intensified before weakening “slightly” on Sunday morning.
Still, scientists say they don’t know whether the increased activity will lead to an eruption in the near future or if the earthquakes will continue. Previous eruptions in the upper eastern rift zone have occurred near Pauahi and Hi’iaka craters, with the most recent eruption occurring in November 1979 near Pauahi Crater over a single day, according to the USGS HVO.
“A significant increase in seismic activity or tectonic activity could trigger a new eruption, but there are currently no indications of an imminent eruption,” the USGS said.
Kilauea last erupted from its southwest summit on June 3. Eruptive activity ceased a few days later. The area has not seen eruptions for about 50 years. However, there are no signs that magma is moving toward the eruption site.
Geologists warn that changes could happen quickly, especially at Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, which could lead to an eruption.
The volcano alert level for ground impact remains at advisory level, and Kilauea’s aviation alert level code is yellow, indicating the volcano is showing signs of increased activity.
