Photo and Video Chronology — December 25, 2024 — Kīlauea summit eruption pauses

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory December 25, 2024

The vigorous fountaining from vents in the southwest corner of Halemaʻmaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano rapidly died down over a few minutes just before 11:00 a.m. today, December 25.

Lava began draining back into the vent at 11:00 a.m. on December 25, at nearly the same time that summit tiltmeters began recording a change from deflation to inflation. Seismic tremor also decreased markedly at the same time. The pattern was similar but more abrupt than the onset of the pause on Monday, December 23, that occurred between 3 and 4 p.m.

Episode 2 lasted a little over 24 hours, which is about twice the duration of the first eruptive episode. Prior summit eruptions have lasted days to weeks and there is a high probability that this eruption will resume if the summit repressurizes over the coming days.

Color photograph of eruptive vent in a caldera — The eruption at the summit of Kīlauea paused again the morning of December 25—resumption of activity as happened yesterday is possible, but not certain. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists arrived at Halema‘uma‘u crater rim just after the eruption pause, observing very weak spattering and drainback of lava into the vent. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of volcanic plume — This photo was taken at 9:20 a.m. HST on Christmas Day, December 25, and shows vigorous lava fountains and a towering gas plume at the summit of Kīlauea. Just an hour later, eruptive activity at the vent began to greatly decrease. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

Color photograph of tephra on road — Tephra ejected by the lava fountains between December 23 and 25, 2024, was carried in the gas plume and deposited on the nearby section of Crater Rim Drive that has been closed to the public for years due to intermittent Kīlauea summit eruptive activity. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of volcanic material deposited on road — Another photo of tephra covering a portion of Crater Rim Drive, at the summit of Kīlauea, that is within the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The road is immediately downwind of the lava fountains that have been active over the past few days, resulting in significant tephra accumulation. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientist standing near road — Tephra accumulated in deep drifts downwind of the lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea. The thickest portion was approximately a half meter (yard) deep, requiring USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory geologists to use 4WD to navigate through this closed portion of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientist holding a sample of lava — A close up of a large clast from the recent lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea deposited on Crater Rim Drive within the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The lava was very gas rich so this clast was very light, akin to the density of a kitchen sponge. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientist on rim of caldera — A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist stands on the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater and takes photos documenting the recent pause in activity at the vent located in the southwest part Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera). USGS photo by L. Gallant.