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Ongoing Seismic Swarm Beneath Mauna Loa Volcano

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Published Date

September 24, 2022
Mauna Loa above Kilauea Crater, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park / NPS - David Boyle

Mauna Loa towering above Kilauea Crater, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park / NPS - David Boyle

A small seismic swarm is ongoing beneath the summit of Mauna Loa volcano in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.  Since 2 a.m. HST on 09/23/2022, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has recorded over 38 earthquakes beneath the summit caldera region with most earthquakes in a cluster about 3.1 mi (5 km) wide and -1.2 to 0.6 mi (-2 to 1 km) below the surface.  These earthquakes may result from changes in the magma storage system and/or may be part of normal re-adjustments of the volcano due to changing stresses within it. HVO continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.

According to HVO Scientist-in-Charge Ken Hon, "Seismic activity beneath Mauna Loa has been gradually increasing over the past two months.  Small earthquake swarms are considered a normal part of this increase in activity.  Currently there are no indications that magma is moving toward the surface and other monitoring systems are displaying normal behavior.  Levels of seismicity and deformation remain below those recorded during the winter of 2021.  HVO will continue to closely monitor this activity and report any significant changes."

EARTHQUAKE SWARM DESCRIPTION

  • Magnitude Range: up to 2.7, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73149507
  • Date and Time: Starting at 2 a.m. HST on September 23, 2022, and ongoing 
  • Location: beneath summit caldera region of Mauna Loa
  • Depth: -1.2 to 0.6 mi (-2 to 1 km) below sea level  
  • Number of detected events: Over 38

INTENSITY OF EARTHQUAKES AND AFFECTED AREAS

EARTHQUAKE MAPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FIVE MOST RECENT MAGNITUDE 4 OR GREATER EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII  

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