November 5, 2026 — Scientist monitors episode 56 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects high resolution video of the episode 56 lava fountaining from the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit that began in December 2024. Video and other data collection during these episodic fountaining events help scientists to analyze eruption dynamics. The north vent fountain from episode 56 reached a maximum height of approximately 660 ft (200 m) and produced tephra (volcanic rock fragments) which was deposited downwind primarily to the southwest in a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (right side of fountain in this image). USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither on November 5, 2026, from Uēkahuna overlook in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.