UPDATE: 5 p.m.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory this morning lowered the volcano alert from “watch” to “advisory” and the aviation color code from orange to yellow.

HVO reported seismicity and ground deformation rates have decreased but remain elevated. HVO added the pulsing nature of this activity may represent stages in intrusive activity beneath the upper East Rift Zone region.

Kilauea is not erupting but localized earthquake and ground deformation rates in Kilauea’s upper East Rift Zone increased significantly twice in the past 24 hours, prompting a status report and brief alert level change. There were approximately 50 earthquakes detected during the 24-hour period beneath Kilauea’s summit and approximately 357 earthquakes detected beneath the upper East Rift Zone, mostly at depths of 0–4 km (0.0–2.5 mi) beneath the ground surface.

Cews examined Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park this morning and did not observe any major cracks associated with the recent activity.

7 a.m.

Although Kilauea is not erupting, increased geologic activity early this morning has prompted the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) to raise the volcano alert level and aviation color code.

The HVO reported increased earthquake activity and ground deformation at Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone at about 3:30 a.m., indicating likely movement of magma underground.

The agency subsequently raised the volcano alert level for ground-based hazards from advisory to watch and the aviation color code from yellow to orange. Today’s earthquake activity is centered near Pauahi Crater.

A volcano alert level of “watch” and an orange aviation color code in this case mean a volcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, with the timeframe uncertain, according to the USGS.

“The situation is rapidly evolving, and, at this time, it is not possible to say with certainty if this activity will lead to an eruption,” HVO officials said in a bulletin this morning. “The activity may remain below ground.”

One possible outcome is an eruption in Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, according to the HVO.

However, agency officials said it is not possible to say where such an eruption may occur, but the area between Hiʻiaka crater and Maunaulu in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park “is potentially at risk for a new lava outbreak based on past patterns of eruptive activity in this area.”

Past eruptions in the area of Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone, between Hiʻiaka crater and Maunaulu, occurred over a time range of hours to about a month.

As for current hazards on Kīlauea, the HVO cautioned that shallow magma movement and eruptions can produce minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features, which can affect the landscape, human activity, and infrastructure. “These ground cracks can continue to widen and offset as magma migration continues, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided.”

HVO officials say they will continue to closely monitor Kilauea and issue a new volcanic activity notice if the volcanic activity changes significantly.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has temporarily closed some areas of the park, including Chain of Craters Road, due to a sudden swarm of earthquakes and ground deformation at the summit and upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that in the last two days, there were 162 earthquakes, and within a two-hour period today, there were 38.

Of the 38, 35 ranged from magnitude 1 to 3, and two were magnitude 3 to 4. The largest was a 3.1-magnitude.

The park emphasized in a news release that Kilauea is not erupting but said that the activity began at about 11 a.m. Monday in the upper East Rift Zone, and if the volcano does erupt, it could put visitors and staff at risk, so the following areas are closed:

>> Chain of Craters Road from the intersection at Devastation parking to the coast

>> Kulanaokuaiki Campground

>> Crater Rim Trail south of Nahuku lava tube

>> Coastal backcountry areas and Napau sites. All new backcountry permits for those areas are canceled.

>> Escape Road from Nahuku to Maunaulu

“It is never an easy decision to close areas, but it is the right thing to do,” said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh in a statement. “Safety is always our top priority. We remain in constant communication with scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and will continue to notify the public of any changes.”

The uncertainty of where an eruption could break out makes the potential dangers greater for visitors and staff. They include elevated volcanic gases, dangerous lava flows, damaging earthquakes and wildfires ignited by lava.

The USGS HVO’s scientists are closely watching conditions. A report on its website at midafternoon says, “Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption; however, conditions could change quickly.”

Many popular visitor areas remain open, including the Kilauea Visitor Center, which overlooks Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House and Nahuku.

The park has been quite busy, and its visitor center parking lot was filled by 10 a.m. today.

Visitors should plan ahead and check the park website for any closure or hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.