Seismic Swarm VS20220116.1: Analysis of Activity near Volcano, Hawaii

Seismic swarm VS20220116.1 was recorded 4 km southwest of Volcano, Hawaii, beginning at 22:02 on 15 January 2022 and concluding at 02:50 on 17 January 2022. Over 28 hours and 47 minutes, the sequence included 26 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 0.2 to 2.1 and focal depths between 0 and 23 km. This event occurred within the seismically active zone associated with Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands formed through prolonged volcanic activity driven by a mantle hotspot beneath the Pacific Plate. Kilauea, one of the world's most active shield volcanoes, lies directly east of the swarm epicenter. Its eruptive history features frequent magma intrusions that trigger earthquake swarms as pressure changes within the volcanic edifice. The region experiences both shallow crustal events linked to surface deformation and deeper events associated with magma transport from the mantle source. Historical records indicate 83 swarms in the area since 1 January 2000. Annual counts include three in 2000, one in 2001, seven in 2003, eight in 2004, one in 2005, two in 2006, three in 2007, one in 2008, three in 2011, four in 2012, one in 2013, two in 2014, five in 2015, three in 2016, two in 2017, eight in 2018, four in 2019, thirteen in 2020, ten in 2021, and two in 2022. These episodes commonly precede or accompany eruptive phases at Kilauea, reflecting periodic adjustments in the volcanic plumbing system. The VS20220116.1 swarm displayed a temporal pattern beginning with events near 10–14 km depth, followed by a cluster of shallow activity under 3 km later in the sequence. Such depth variations are characteristic of Hawaiian swarms, where initial deeper signals may indicate magma movement that subsequently influences shallower fault zones. Magnitudes remained modest, consistent with non-eruptive swarm behavior observed in prior years. Ongoing monitoring by the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory provides context for interpreting these events within the broader framework of hotspot volcanism. Continued seismic surveillance supports hazard assessment for nearby communities and infrastructure.

References

• U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: Volcano Monitoring Data and Background Geology
• Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution: Kilauea Eruption History
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Hawaiian Hotspot Tectonic Framework