Kīlauea summit eruption continues with episode 53

Episode 53 of the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption started on August 12 at 3:45 p.m. HST. The episode 53 lava fountain erupting from the north vent reached heights of approximately 500 ft (150 m) with the gas plume reaching 18,000 ft (5600 m) above sea level. Visitors gathered at the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to watch the eruption. USGS photo taken on August 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. HST by M. Cappos.