Big Island earthquakes could mean new eruption imminent

Image of a chain of volcanic vents on the island of Hawai‘i courtesy of the USGS.

A recent rash of earthquakes on the Big Island has scientists believing there could be a new eruption about to occur. Hundreds of earthquakes have occurred in the past two days, with the shaking Friday occurring every couple of minutes. The quakes have generally been weak with magnitudes in the 1s and 2s with a few 3s and focused in the less active southwest rift zone. That’s where scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory believe lava is flowing and building underground.

They say three scenarios that could unfold over the next few days and weeks. In the first, the lava builds underground but stays there.

“Their second scenario is that the magma will migrate further down the rift zone and again possibly staying underground or possibly erupting,” said Scott Roland, a specialist in the department of Geology and Geophysics (G&G).

The third scenario is an eruption near where the earthquakes are occurring right now. An eruption would be preceded by increased cracking in the earth and possibly stronger earthquakes.

Read more about it and watch the video report at KITV4.