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A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist surveys the elevation at a point along a transect across the new pu‘u, formed from tephra fallout from the ongoing episodic eruption at Kīlauea's summit. At each repeat measurement site, data is collected for at least 4 minutes. The geologist is on the south side of the pu‘u.

Panoramic view of the cone (pu‘u) that has formed in the predominant downwind direction (southwest) of the vents during the ongoing eruption at Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea, the south side of southwest vent, and part of the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. This photo was taken south of the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u and is looking to the north-northeast.

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on November 10, 2026, scientists surveyed the lava flows emplaced during lava fountaining episode 56 and flew over the north and southwest vents. While volcanic gas mostly obscured the volcanic vents, a few windows into the deeper conduits opened.

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. The data for this map were collected during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on Wednesday, November 4, 2026; as such, the provided statistics are reflective of the first fifty-five episodes of the eruption through October 17.

The F1cam, located on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of  Kīlauea, captured this image of the episode 56 lava fountain and lava flows on November 5, 2026. USGS webcam image. 

The MLcam, located on the north rim of Mokuʻāweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa volcano, captured this image of Kīlauea's summit eruption episode 56 eruption plume on November 5, 2026. USGS webcam image.