USGS Reports Minor Activity at Kilauea Volcano

- The 2018 Kīlauea eruption provided a stark reminder of the volcano's economic impact, resulting in an estimated $415 million in tourism losses over a one-year period. That event and the concurrent Hurricane Lane led to the loss of more than 2,950 jobs on the island. - Beyond tourism, the agricultural sector suffered significant losses during the 2018 eruption, with total damages estimated at $27.9 million. The floriculture and nursery industries were hit hardest, accounting for $13.3 million of the losses, followed by papaya farms at $6.5 million. - The 2018 eruption was the most destructive in recorded history, destroying more than 700 homes and covering 55.6 square miles in lava over four months. This level of activity prompted the closure of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park for an extended period. - The current eruptive period, which began in late 2024, has been characterized by episodic activity within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. These episodes can be brief, sometimes lasting less than 12 hours, followed by pauses that can last for weeks. - During the 2018 event, Big Island hotel occupancy fell by 6%, and summer bookings for hotels and tours dropped by as much as 50% for the months of May through July. Major cruise lines also canceled stops at the Big Island's port of Hilo. - Volcanic activity poses significant risks to infrastructure, which can disrupt supply chains and business operations. Past eruptions have destroyed roads and power lines, and the emission of sulfur dioxide can contaminate water supplies and harm crops miles downwind. - In the wake of the 2018 eruption, visitation to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park declined by approximately one-third from 2017 levels. This contributed to a loss of $94 million in economic benefit for communities near the park in 2018 compared to the previous year.