Photo and Video Chronology —September 15, 2024, Kīlauea intrusion

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory September 15, 2024

Seismicity and deformation increased dramatically at 6 p.m. yesterday in the middle East Rift Zone just northwest of Makaopuhi Crater indicating intrusion of magma beneath this area. Activity has continued to decrease in intensity overnight, but continues at lower levels this morning. Renewed episodes of unrest in the upper to middle East Rift Zone are possible and may evolve quickly.

InSAR image of Kīlauea intrusion

Color map of ground deformation on volcano — This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea over the timeframe of September 2–14, 2024. Data were acquired by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1A satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation. Each color cycle represents 2.8 cm (1.1 in) of ground motion. The symbol in the upper left indicates the satellite's orbit direction (arrow) and look direction (bar). The butterfly-shaped feature between Pauahi and Makaopuhi Craters on the middle East Rift Zone indicates ground surface extension over this time period as magma intruded underground. Increased earthquake activity associated with the intrusion of magma began around 4 p.m. HST on September 14 and is ongoing as of the afternoon of September 15, though it has decreased in intensity. The largest earthquake during the magmatic intrusion, a magnitude-4.3 in the south part of Kaluapele (the caldera), was associated with slip along one of the outer caldera faults—a consequence of stress changes due to the intrusion. For information about interpreting interferograms, see this "Volcano Watch" article: Reading the rainbow: How to interpret an interferogram.

Makaopuhi Crater

Color photograph of crater — A panoramic photograph of Makaopuhi Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Makapohi Crater is located between Maunaulu and Puʻuʻōʻō, two lava shields that formed during long-lived (years) eruptions on the middle East Rift Zone. Kānenuiohamo, which is visible in the background of this photo, is another long-lived lava shield on the middle East Rift Zone that formed at least several hundred years ago, USGS photograph by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of crater floor — A panoramic photograph of Makaopuhi Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Makapohi Crater is located between Maunaulu and Puʻuʻōʻō; lava flows from the Maunaulu eruption (1969-1974) traveled east and cascaded into Makaopuhi Crater, partially paving the floor of the crater with new lava (dark gray material in the foreground of the photo). The forest was preserved in the eastern portion of the crater floor because lava flows did not travel that far (green in background of the photo). USGS photograph by K. Mulliken.

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