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USGS Monitoring Kilauea Following Uptick in Seismic Activity. 'Newsweek' reports that the alert level for the area around Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has been elevated following an increase in volcanic activity. While the volcano is not erupting, an increase in earthquake activity and ground deformation near the surface has been observed since June 2. According to an update released by the U.S. Geological Survey, the activity suggests that magma is moving close to the surface. "Rates of seismicity and deformation increased further after 5:00 p.m. HST. At this time, it is not possible to say with certainty if this activity will lead to an eruption—the activity may remain below ground." "However, an eruption in Kīlauea's summit region within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is one potential outcome." "Accordingly, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is raising the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from ADVISORY to WATCH and the Aviation Color Code from YELLOW to ORANGE." "HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of increasing activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly, a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued.", U.S. Geological Survey update, via 'Newsweek'. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Service said it would close the nearby Devastation Trail parking lot and Keanakakoi area until further notice due to the alert. 'Newsweek' reports that Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupting frequently since 1983. While most eruptions have been confined to the crater and have not posed a threat to local communities, a series of eruptions destroyed over 700 homes in the nearby Puna District in 2018. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT