Seismic Swarm VS20231124.1: Analysis of Activity Near Volcano, Hawaii
Seismic swarm VS20231124.1 was recorded 11 km southwest of Volcano, Hawaii, on the Big Island. The sequence began at 05:39 on 24 November 2023 and concluded at 12:59 on 26 November 2023, spanning 55 hours and 20 minutes. During this period, 79 earthquakes were detected, with magnitudes ranging from 0.1 to 3.1 and hypocentral depths predominantly between 0 and 6 km.
The swarm exhibited typical characteristics of volcanic seismicity, featuring numerous low-magnitude events clustered in time. Activity peaked on 24 November, with multiple events exceeding magnitude 2.0, including two at 2.6. Magnitudes remained modest overall, and the largest shock of 3.1 occurred near the end of the sequence on 26 November. Depths stayed shallow, consistent with processes occurring within the upper volcanic edifice or shallow crust.
This swarm occurred in a region underlain by the active Kilauea volcano. Kilauea forms part of the Hawaiian hotspot chain and is among the most active volcanoes globally, with persistent magma movement driving frequent earthquake swarms. The southwest location relative to Volcano town places the events along the volcano’s south flank or adjacent rift structures, where magma intrusion and associated stress changes commonly generate such sequences.
Historical records indicate persistent swarm activity in the area. Since 1 January 2000, 96 swarms have been documented, with notable yearly counts including 13 in 2020, 9 in 2018, and 15 in 2023. These recurrent swarms reflect ongoing magmatic and tectonic interactions beneath Kilauea.
The 2023 swarm aligns with established patterns of shallow, low-to-moderate magnitude seismicity that often precede or accompany volcanic unrest. No surface deformation or eruptive activity was associated with this specific sequence based on the provided parameters.
References
- Internal SeismoSight classification data for swarm VS20231124.1
- USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory records on Kilauea seismicity and regional geology