This video compilation shows views of lava fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on February 4, 2025. Lava fountain heights reaching approximately 50 meters (yards). Fountaining occurs through pond which supplies lava through a narrow notch in the cone wall. USGS video by M. Patrick.

During a helicopter overflight on Tuesday, February 4, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists landed on the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater to collect lava samples from episode 8 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. One of the geologists captured this panoramic video of the area; the video begins with views of lava flows in the southern part of the crater, before turning to the west and zooming in on the two active eruptive vents. USGS video by M. Zoeller. 

A new episode of lava fountaining began late last night at the summit of Kīlauea, with continued fountaining this morning. Both the north and south vents were active this morning, February 4, with the northern fountains typically about 130-165 feet (40-50 meters) high. In the upper right corner, recent snow on Mauna Kea is visible. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This aerial overview of the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater was captured on Tuesday, February 4, during the eighth episode of Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption. Looking to the northwest, the two active eruptive vents can be seen in front of the far (western) crater wall, while silvery lava on the crater floor represents newly emplaced flows from this episode. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.

This view from the western caldera rim shows the fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea during the morning of February 4, 2025. Lava fountains were supplying lava into a large ponded area, which had numerous small channels sending lava north and east across the crater floor. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The thick volcanic gas plume produced from the lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea created a red tinge to the sun. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This telephoto view of the active eruptive vents within Halema‘uma‘u crater was captured during the eighth episode of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Like most of the other recent episodes, this one has had two eruptive vents, known informally as the north vent (right) and south vent (left). Both are actively fountaining and effusing lava flows onto the crater floor. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.

A ranger in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park talks to a visitor at the Volcano House, where there have been good views of the recent lava fountaining. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The rising gas plume from the lava fountains had a mirror-like resemblance to an ‘Ōhi‘a tree at the Volcano House. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

These thermal maps show the changing activity this week at Kīlauea summit. They were created from handheld thermal camera imagery collected during helicopter overflights yesterday and today. The February 3 map shows warm but inactive lava flows covering the crater floor, with several hot cracks cutting across the floor. Only weak spattering was present in the vent, with active lava flows. The February 4 map shows vigorous lava fountaining at the vent that was producing lava flows covering much of the western crater floor. Portions of the lava flow were ponded, with narrow channels draining the ponds.