Alert Level: ADVISORY, Color Code: YELLOW
2022-12-13 17:12:59 UTC

HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Previous Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 7:12 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2022/H656
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii

Volcanic Activity Summary:Kīlauea is no longer erupting. Lava supply to the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake ceased on December 9 based upon lava lake levels and behavior of the crater floor. Sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased to near pre-eruption background levels. 

Accordingly, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is lowering the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from WATCH to ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code from ORANGE to YELLOW. 

Seismicity and deformation patterns remain unsettled. Potential remains for resumption of this eruption or initiation of a new eruption at or near the summit of Kīlauea.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of renewed activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued. 

Hazards are still present on Kīlauea and are described below. Residents and visitors should stay informed and follow County of Hawai‘i and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guidelines. 

For more information about the meaning of aviation color codes, see https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/vo...s-us-volcanoes 

Remarks:

Continuing hazards 

Levels of volcanic gas (sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide) can remain locally hazardous even though Kīlauea is no longer erupting. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions have greatly decreased; however, local concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may persist in downwind areas, and residents may notice odors of these gases occasionally. Significant hazards also remain around Halemaʻumaʻu from crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public.

Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm. 


Next Notice:

Kīlauea updates will now be issued weekly on Tuesdays. Should volcanic activity change significantly a new VAN will be issued. Regularly scheduled updates are posted on the HVO website at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates

More Information:
Kīlauea activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862
Kīlauea webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/webcams
Kīlauea photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilau...deo-chronology
Kīlauea lava-flow maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/maps
Kīlauea FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/faqs

Alert Level: ADVISORY, Color Code: YELLOW
2022-12-15 03:04:45 UTC

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 5:04 PM HST (Thursday, December 15, 2022, 03:04 UTC)

KILAUEA (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Activity Summary 

Eruptive activity has not resumed at the summit of Kīlauea; the volcano alert level and aviation color code remains at YELLOW/ADVISORY. A passive overturn of the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake began just before noon and continued until about 4 p.m. HST today, December 14, exposing new lava at the surface of the lake. There has been no resumption of seismic tremor (indicative of fluid movement), strong degassing, or supply of lava from the west vent that would be associated with re-activation of the eruption. Seismicity and deformation patterns remain low but unsettled. Potential remains for resumption of this eruption or initiation of a new eruption at or near the summit of Kīlauea. 


Observations

The lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater began crusting over between December 6th and 9th and the crust was likely less than 3 feet thick. Small pods of lava appeared on the crust in the northeast corner of the formerly active lava lake just before noon today, December 14. The weight of the small lava flows on top of the crust caused the immediate area to founder and overturn exposing the underlying lava within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Following each overturn, another small flow progressed onto the adjacent crust, causing another 5-10% of the adjacent lake crust to founder and sink. The process repeated itself over the next several hours and by 4 p.m. HST today the entire surface of the small lava lake was resurfaced with new crust. This process is driven by hotter, boyount lava rising below the lakeʻs surface and weighing down the surface crust causing it to sink. Passive overturns are not uncommon in cooling lava lakes and this activity may be repeated during the next several weeks.

Alert Level: ADVISORY, Color Code: YELLOW
2022-12-31 08:30:34 UTC

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, December 30, 2022, 10:30 PM HST (Saturday, December 31, 2022, 08:30 UTC)

KILAUEA (VNUM #332010)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

KĪLAUEA INFORMATION STATEMENT
A swarm of small earthquakes beneath Kīlauea caldera began at about 6 p.m. on Friday, December 30th, 2022. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded approximately 25 earthquakes less than magnitude 2 between 6 and 9 p.m. HST. The swarm seems to be diminishing at this time, but activity may pick up again.

These earthquakes are typical as the summit of Kīlauea repressurizes after the end of the last eruption. The earthquakes are generally dispersed beneath and around the south side of Halemaʻumaʻu. Overall, the summit of Kīlauea has been gradually inflating since the 28th of November. There is no indication that resumption of eruptive activity is imminent and there are no signs of significant activity in either of Kīlaueaʻs rift zones or on Mauna Loa.

EARTHQUAKE SWARM DESCRIPTION 
Magnitude: Maximum magnitude of 2, most less than magnitude 1.5 
Date and time: Starting at 6:00 p.m. HST on December 30, 2022, and ongoing
Location: 5 km (3 miles) SW of Volcano
Depth: 2 km (1 mile) below the surface 
Number of located events: Over 25
INTENSITY OF EARTHQUAKES AND AFFECTED AREAS
Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity 
Maximum Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: I-II—Not Felt to Weak (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards...ntensity-scale) 
Felt Reports: None 
Felt Area: Not Felt
EARTHQUAKE MAPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/h...ry/earthquakes 
More Information:
Kīlauea activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862
Kīlauea webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/webcams
Kīlauea photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilau...deo-chronology
Kīlauea lava-flow maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/maps
Kīlauea FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/faqs