The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has increased their code alert from advisory to watch for the Kilauea volcano in the south caldera region due to recent earthquake activity.

Earthquake activity was detected Aug. 23 at 4:30 p.m. HST and continued into the evening of Aug. 24 under the southern portion of the Kilauea summit caldera. 

“Currently, webcams and satellite imagery show no evidence of lava at the surface. HVO scientists will continue to monitor the situation and will issue additional messages and alert level changes as warranted by changing activity,” the USGS stated in a press release

Prior to the earthquakes, the volcano alert level was at yellow, the advisory level, but it was increased to orange, or the watch level due to a "particularly strong sequence of earthquakes" that occurred around 1:30 a.m., HST, the USGS stated.

While all of the earthquakes detected were small, over 140 were recorded on Aug. 24, with the largest being a 3.3 magnitude tremor. 

Earthquakes of smaller magnitude have continued at a rate of 10 quakes an hour. 

According to the USGS, the volcano is not erupting. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is monitoring the situation paying close attention to potential deformities and gas emissions. They will issue updates as required.