On June 27, 2026, episode 50 of the ongoing episodic eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea produced a lava fountain from the north vent that reached up to 1000 feet (300 meters) high. This photo was taken from the public overlook at Uēkahuna bluff in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

On June 27, 2026, episode 50 of lava fountaining from the north vent in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, produced spatter-fed lava flows on the southwest side of the cone, shown in this image taken from the public viewing area at Uēkahuna Bluff around noon in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

During the afternoon of June 27, 2026, several USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists ventured into the area northwest of Halema‘uma‘u crater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to collect tephra samples from Kīlauea summit eruption episode 50. They did so several hours into the episode after observing the north vent lava fountain begin to decline, a sign that it would be safe to approach the tephra deposit from earlier in the episode. While in this area, one of the scientists snapped this photo of the lava fountain peak visible over the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS photo by M. Zoeller. 

On June 27, 2026, steady trade winds blew the plume from Kīlauea summit eruption episode 50 to the southwest of Halema‘uma‘u. In this photo captured by a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist looking to the east from the Footprints trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the plume is seen lofting to around 11,000 feet (3,350 meters) in height and stretching out downwind of the crater. The north vent lava fountain in Halema‘uma‘u is barely visible among the trees on the horizon in the left side of the frame. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.

While visiting the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists found volcanic bombs (fragments that are larger than 2.5 inches or 64 mm) that were deposited during Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountaining episode 50, which were strewn across the tephra cone on the southwest side of Halema‘uma‘u crater. Some of these were the size of beach balls, such as the one photographed here with a phone for scale. Despite their size, these bombs are extremely low-density and lightweight. The bomb pictured here was collected to analyze geochemically so scientists can learn more about the magma supplying the eruption. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.

Episode 50 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 7 hours on June 27, 2026. This timelapse video of the episode was taken by the K2cam, located near Uēkahuna bluff in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and shows the evolution of the fountaining episode, with visitors viewing the eruption. USGS webcam video. 

Episode 50 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 7 hours on June 27, 2026. This timelapse video of the episode was taken by the V3cam, located on the southern rim of the crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS webcam video. 

Episode 50 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 7 hours on June 27, 2026. This timelapse video of the episode was taken by the V1cam, located on the northwest rim of the crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It shows the fountain from the north vent evolve throughout the episode, generating lava flows emanating from the vent and flowing on the backside of the cone. The camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model so the perspective changes several times during the timelapse video. USGS webcam video. 

Episode 50 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 7 hours on June 27, 2026. This timelapse video of the episode was taken by the B1cam, located on the southern rim of the crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It shows the lava fountain from the north vent in the background with active lava flows on the floor of the crater in the foreground. USGS webcam video. 

Episode 50 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 7 hours on June 27, 2026. This timelapse video of the episode was taken by the KPcam, located on the southern flank of Mauna Loa in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It shows the lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit in the background, with the eruptive plume rising and being transported by wind. USGS webcam video.