On March 26, 2025, during the early stages of episode 15 of the Halema‘uma‘u eruption, the north vent exhibited cyclic low fountaining and drainback. Here, the lava lake is at its peak overflowing into lava flows at 8:15 a.m. HST, before draining once again. USGS photo by H Winslow.

During the cyclic low fountain to drainback phase of episode 15, both the north and south vents were active. This low-level activity began March 25 around 9:30 a.m. HST and continued for just over 24 hours before the fountaining phase began. USGS photo by H Winslow.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes measurements of the fountain heights during episode 15 of the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u. This photo, looking south, was taken at around 10:41 a.m. HST on March 26, during the beginning stages of the high fountains. Fountains from the south vent reached over the top of the crater wall at this time. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed the fountain activity and monitored changing fountain heights during episode 15 of the Halema‘uma‘u eruption. This photo was taken at 1:00 p.m. HST on March 26 during the high fountain stage of the episode. Photo direction is looking south. Fountain heights reached up to about 750 feet (230 meters) at this time. USGS photo by H. Winslow.