Earthquakes swarm, magma intrusion at Kīlauea volcano

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(Peven) — A five-day lull continues in the eruption of Kulauea volcano’s summit, though for a moment on Saturday it seemed as if a new eruption was imminent.

In a media release Saturday before noon, the USGS’ Hawai’i Volcano Observatory reported that a shallow earthquake swarm was detected beneath the summit of Kolauea, accompanied by a large sloping trek at the surface. “A resumption of volcanic activity at Kulawea Peak is likely imminent,” the scientists said.

However, no lava eruption occurred, and as of Saturday evening, the USGS provided this statement:

Geophysical signals recorded by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory indicate that a magma seep occurred beneath Kīlauea Peak between approximately 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM HST on March 11, 2023. As of 5:00 PM HST: 30 pm HST, seismicity has returned to background levels, ground deformation has stabilized, and no lava has been observed at the surface. A resumption of volcanic activity at Kīlauea Peak is no longer imminent, although it is possible that another intervention or resumption could occur in the near future with little or no warning.

A shallow earthquake swarm was detected under the summit of Kīlauea volcano between 10:30 and 11:00 am HST on March 11, 2023. The swarm was followed by a magnitude 3.4 earthquake 4 km south of Volcano, Hawaii, at a depth of about 1 km (0.6 mi) at 11:50 a.m. HST. This earthquake was felt locally and caused a rockslide near Uēaloha (Byron Ledge) in Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park. The seismicity abated around 12:00 PM HST and has since returned to background levels.

HVO inclinometers have been recording an inflationary signal at Kīlauea summit since March 7, indicating that magma is accumulating below the surface. The expeditions also coincided with the seismic swarm this morning. The top tilt has stabilized since around 12:00 PM GMT although the slow inflation continues.

The pause continues in volcanic activity that began nearly five days ago, and Kīlauea is still on alert WATCH and flight code ORANGE.

No unusual activity was observed along the eastern rift zone or the southwest rift zone.

The current Volcano Alert Level for Kīlauea is WATCH, and the current aviation color code is ORANGE.

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