Kilauea - Volcano Messages
This page displays the latest volcano observatory short messages for Kīlauea volcano. These short messages are quick status updates published on our website, social media, RSS and JSON. They supplement more detailed official products published in the Volcano Notification Service.
Filter Total Items: 20
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.
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.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 09:52:11 HST
Current north vent fountain is over 800 feet (250 meters) high. The plume reaches to over 13,000 feet (4000 meters) above ground level. Mostly it is rising vertically, but at higher altitudes it is moving to the southeast.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 09:12:10 HST
North vent fountains are now reaching 650 feet (200 meters) in height. South vent only has very low fountains confined to the vent.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 09:00:40 HST
North vent fountains are now 330 feet high (100 meters) and growing. Fountains are feeding a large flow on the crater floor. The gas plume is rising vertically but part of it is moving due west at about 5000 feet above ground level.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 08:50:05 HST
North vent fountains are now about 150-170 feet (about 50 meters) high and feeding a lava flow on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The gas plume rises straight up to 7000 feet (2200 m) about ground level.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 08:40:47 HST
Episode 40 fountaining began at 8:22 a.m. HST as indicated by strong deflation and increase in tremor after the north vent fountains increased dramatically at 8:13. Current north vent fountains remain just under 100 feet (30 meters) high.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 08:29:10 HST
North vent fountains are picking up, now about 50-70 feet (15-20 meters) high. This appears to be a prelude to the start of episode 40 fountains.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-12 07:44:24 HST
Beautiful arcuate spatter fountain 15-30 feet (5-10 meters) high feeding a flow from the north vent. The south vent continues to erupt intermittently with classic dome fountains 10-15 foot (3-5 meter) feeding overflows.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-11 20:23:56 HST
Intermittent precursory overflows continue from both vents and extend onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. There is almost no wind at the summit so camera views can be partially or totally blocked by volcanic gases near the vent.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-11 09:54:05 HST
The north vent began vigorously overflowing at about 9:30 am HST after being quiet all morning. The fountaining is feeding a flow that extends nearly 3000 feet (1 km) into the center of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Kilauea Message 2026-01-10 16:43:01 HST
The south vent drained back at 4:35 pm HST leaving only the north vent active. A new lava dome quickly rose within the south vent and vigorous overflows resumed at 4:38 followed by another drainback.
