February 15, 2026 — North vent lava fountain during episode 42 at Kīlauea summit

This photo north vent lava fountain during Kīlauea summit eruption episode 42 was captured from the northwest rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater on February 15, 2026. Rainy conditions prevented accurate laser rangefinder measurements of the lava fountains during this episode, but USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists estimated that the north vent fountain reached about 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) in height at the time. Also visible here is substantial secondary tephra fragmentation (brown cloud) around the cone on the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater, along with more distal fallout downwind to the southwest (far right, black cloud). USGS photo by C. Cauley.