5.5 Magnitude Quake Strikes Kilauea

HILO HAWAII - A magnitude 5.5 earthquake has struck Kilauea about 7.45 miles WSW of Pu'u'o'o crater at a depth of 6.72km. The quake occurred within the same relative area as the large magnitude 6.9 quake which preceded the last large eruption in the LERZ (Lower Eastern rift Zone). Since more active monitoring of Kilauea has diminished since the alert level was lowered to Yellow (watch), daily updates are not provided on the status of Kilauea.

Google Earth with USGS plugin and my proprietary database showing location of new quake at Kilauea.

Kilauea has not had any lava eruptions since the last one ended on August 4, 2018. Deformation data has continued to show inflation down rift of Pu'u'o'o to the LERZ, and multiple D/I (deflation/inflation) events have occurred lately, which is quite typical for the summit area. However after the large quake, it is anyone's guess as to whether the instruments are functional at this moment. 

HVO manager Brian Shiro was quoted by the Star Advertiser saying "We see no detectable changes in volcanic activity at the summit or along the rift zones of Kīlauea as a result of this earthquake. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt"

Kilauea had been in a constant state of eruption and lava effusion since 1983, and it is unlikely to become dormant any time soon. Hazards still remain at the LERZ and there is a remote chance that activity could resume in that area. The area is still off limits to residents without escort, and tourists. The HVO re-opened recently, although it is unclear whether the Jagger Museum is safe, and remains closed to the public.