September 15, 2026—New fissures in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea

Yesterday evening, September 14, new fissures began breaking out along the base of the northwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater, north of the episodic lava fountaining vents that have persisted since December 23, 2024, at the summit of Kīlauea. These fissures have effused pāhoehoe lava flows onto the crater floor, seen here with a silvery color, as observed during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight this morning, September 15. The lava fountaining vents can be seen in the upper left of the frame, still emitting a volcanic gas plume. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.