U.S. Geological Survey says Kilauea volcano is not erupting

Update, 8 p.m.

The U.S. Geological Survey said tonight that Kilauea volcano is not erupting.

USGS said in a release, “As of 5:30 p.m., seismicity has returned to background levels, ground deformation has stabilized, and no lava has been observed at the surface. Resumption of eruptive activity at Kilauea summit no longer appears to be imminent, although it is possible that another intrusion or resumption may occur in the near future with little or no warning.

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Hawaii’s second-largest volcano is likely to resume erupting soon after a brief pause.

The U.S. Geological Survey said today that a shallow earthquake storm had been detected under the summit of Kilauea. That signals that “resumption of eruptive activity at Kilauea summit is likely imminent,” the USGS said.

Scientists just said Tuesday that lava had stopped flowing after 61 days of volcanic activity, but Kilauea is living up to its reputation as one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It also erupted from September 2021 to last December. A 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed more than 700 residences.

For about two weeks last December, Hawaii’s biggest volcano, Mauna Loa, was also erupting on the Big Island.

The dual eruptions of Hawaii’s biggest volcanoes provided a temporary boost to tourism during the slow season.

Volcanic eruptions have deep spiritual and cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. When Mauna Loa started erupting in November after lying dormant for 38 years, many Hawaiians took part in cultural traditions such as singing, chanting and dancing to honor Pele, the deity of volcanoes and fire, and leaving offerings known as “hookupu.”