Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
An ash plume rises from the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island on May 15. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement on Wednesday that the Kilauea Volcano is continuing to deflate, resulting in strong earthquakes and a drop in the lava column.
Why it matters: The sinking of the lava column means there's a higher likelihood of steam-driven explosions. The quakes felt on Wednesday, measuring up to 4.4 magnitude, have caused damage to roads and buildings, per the HVO. Axios' Andrew Freedman reported earlier on Wednesday that the eruption, which began at the beginning of the month, is in a "new, more dangerous phase and shows no signs of stopping."