Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

A small swarm of shallow earthquakes began beneath Kīlauea caldera on Wednesday January 14 at 7:35 p.m. HST and continued for 40 minutes. There was no observable change in the eruption and the rift zones remain quiet. View All Messages.

Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 18:28:32 HST

Episode 40 produced 7.1 million cubic yards (5.5 million cubic meters) of lava during the high fountain eruption. The average effusion rate was approximately 250 cubic yards per second (190 cubic meters per second) during episode 40. View All Messages.

Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 18:14:31 HST

Episode 40 ended at 6:04 pm HST after 9.7 hours of eruption from the north vent. The south vent was not active during the high fountain phase. Lava flows covered about one half to two thirds of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. View All Messages.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Message 2026-01-12 13:01:46 HST

Lava fountains have lowered in height to about 400 feet (120 m). Lava flows from the north vent cover about 40% of the crater floor. Teprha including Pele's Hair continues to fall at Uēkahuna overlook. View All Messages.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Message 2026-01-12 12:54:52 HST

Tephra is falling north of Halema'uma'u, visible in V1 cam. Reticulite up to 2 inches in diameter falling at Uēkahuna overlook. Airborne hazard exposure varies with wind speed and direction. View All Messages.

HVO monitors earthquakes and the active volcanoes in Hawaii, assesses their hazards, issues warnings, and advances scientific understanding to reduce the impacts of volcanic eruptions. Communicating the results of our work to the public, emergency managers, and the scientific community is an important aspect of the HVO mission.

Please join us in January 2026 for Volcano Awareness Month - during which we feature in-person programs across the Island of Hawaiʻi with partner agencies. Click the green button below for more information and let us know if you have any questions at askHVO@usgs.gov.

Volcano Awareness Month Calendar