Earthquake & Volcano Monitor — 2026-05-08
Kīlauea volcano continues its episodic lava fountain activity at the summit, with Episode 46 ending on May 6 after a 9-hour event, while a new Episode 47 was reported underway as of May 8. In the Philippines, Mayon volcano issued a volcanic ash advisory on May 6, and Kanlaon continued ash-emitting eruption activity through May 4–5. Minor seismic activity was recorded near Japan and the Philippines.
Earthquake & Volcano Monitor — 2026-05-08
Seismic Activity
Japan (Amami-Ōshima region) — M3.8 A magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck 6.8 km southeast of Naze, Kagoshima-ken, Japan, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 4:59 PM local time (GMT+9).
Philippines (Luzon) — M2.1 A weak magnitude 2.1 earthquake occurred 23 km southwest of Agoo, Province of Pangasinan, Ilocos, Philippines, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 8:19 PM local time (GMT+8).
Volcanic Watch
Kīlauea (Hawai'i) — Episodes 46 & 47 Underway
Kīlauea's summit eruption activity remains episodic and dynamic. According to USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory notices:
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Episode 46 began on May 5, 2026 at 18:17 UTC and continued with lava fountaining reaching 20,000 ft AMSL, with volcanic ash moving northeast. The episode ended approximately 9 hours later on May 6, 2026 at 03:24 UTC. The aviation color code returned to YELLOW following the episode's conclusion.
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Episode 47 (Lava Fountain Episode 43 per earlier notice terminology) was reported as ONGOING as of May 8, 2026, with the aviation color code elevated back to ORANGE. Ash cloud height was listed as unknown with observation via webcam.
The May 6 daily update from HVO noted the current alert level was at ADVISORY / YELLOW in the lull between episodes.
Mayon Volcano (Philippines) — Ash Advisory
On May 6, 2026 at 12:52 UTC, Mayon volcano (elevation: 2,462 m AMSL, Luzon, Philippines) generated an eruption with a volcanic ash cloud of unknown height. The Tokyo VAAC issued Advisory No. 2026-571 at 13:16 UTC.
Kanlaon (Central Philippines) — Continued Ash Emissions
PHIVOLCS reported that Kanlaon's eruption continued on May 4, 2026, with 5 ash emission events recorded, each lasting between 3 and 60 minutes. Ash plumes rose 1,500 m above the vent and drifted in southeasterly, southerly, and westerly directions. Tremor episodes were recorded 5 times. Activity was ongoing into May 5.
Earth Science
USGS National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Advisory Committee Meeting
The U.S. Geological Survey published a Federal Register notice on May 6, 2026 announcing an upcoming public meeting of the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Advisory Committee (NVEWSAC). The meeting is open to the public in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972.
Readers near active volcanic zones are encouraged to monitor USGS alerts and follow aviation authority guidance during ongoing eruption episodes. Kīlauea's current episodic fountaining pattern means conditions can shift from YELLOW (advisory) to ORANGE (eruption ongoing) with little warning between episodes.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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