Early Morning Earthquake Swarm Beneath Kilauea's Upper East Rift
Zone

USGS HVO News Release
June 17, 2007 5:00 a.m.

About 70 shallow earthquakes in 2 hours occurred beneath the
upper east rift zone of Kilauea early this morning. The swarm began
at 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 17 and is ongoing. The earthquakes are
centered 1 km (1 mile) southwest of Mauna Ulu and are concentrated
between 1.5 and 3 kilometers (1-2 miles) deep. As of 4:30 a.m., ten
of the quakes had magnitudes greater than 3 and were felt by nearby
residents. All data so far is consistent with the event being a
shallow intrusion of magma. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is
watching the situation closely and has deployed field crews to the
scene.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has taken the following
precautionary measures: Chain of Craters road is closed. Crater Rim
Drive is closed between Jaggar museum and the Thurston lava tube
parking lot. NPS personnel are sweeping both roads to evacuate
visitors.

USGS provides science for a changing world. For more information,
visit http://www.usgs.gov/.

For eruption updates and information on recent earthquakes in
Hawai'i, visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/.

The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific
information to: describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of
life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological,
energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality
of life.

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Updated: 17
June 2007 (pnf)