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/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-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/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes