Hawaiian Volcano Summary: Kīlauea Slows Post-Eruption, Nāpau Wildfire Out
Last week’s smoldering wildfire near Nāpau Crater was last visible four days ago on USGS webcams and is likely out, while Kīlauea’s ongoing magma recharge appears to have slightly slowed. The volcano’s summit and south caldera regions have been gradually inflating since the September 20-25 eruption, while the Middle East Rift west of Puʻuʻōʻō and the eruption site at Nāpau has shown less change relative to the previous week. “Rates of seismicity and ground deformation have greatly decreased since the eruption, but data show that magma is continuing to move at a low rate from the summit to the middle East Rift Zone. Future intrusive episodes and eruptions could occur with continued magma supply” according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. This week’s Volcano Watch also brings up the possibilities of increased south flank earthquakes following the recent eruption, or less likely, of pit crater formation by collapse. As always, we await what Kīlauea will present next.
Earthquakes counts were reduced over the past week especially in the shallower depths, with deep seismicity at Pāhala contributing more than usual. Gas emissions are back to the volcanic background near 60 tonnes of SO2 per day from the summit, while gas emissions are no longer being detected from the recent eruption site. Although of lesser concern, this is the greatest volcanic threat to people at present, especially those with respiratory sensitivities. Neighboring Maunaloa continues its usual pattern with earthquakes again greatly reduced, nothing unusual within the variations of its long-term recharge following the 2022 eruption.