Kīlauea summit eruption episode 31 summary

Lava fountained for nearly 13 hours on August 22-23 during episode 31 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists documented the eruptive episode, which included a lava fountain that extended 1,000 ft (300 meters) from the north vent, feeding a lava channel and depositing tephra on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The south vent and additional intermediate vents also erupted during this episode. With the permission of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, USGS scientists conducted a monitoring overflight of the eruption site on August 25, during which they visited the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater to collect a sample of material erupted during episode 31. Geochemical analysis of the sample will help scientists to understand the processes driving this episodic eruption that has been occurring since December 23, 2024. USGS video.