Photo & Video Chronology — May 1, 2025 — Updated eruption map and views of Kīlauea summit on Lei Day

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory May 1, 2025

A new eruption map provides up-to-date statistics on the ongoing eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. And, on May Day (lei day in Hawaii nei), scientists made observations of the intermittent spattering within the north vent.

Color map showing areas covered by lava in recent eruption — This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. As of this posting on April 30, 2025, the eruption has had eighteen episodes, with the most recent occurring on April 22. Most of the map data included here were collected during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on April 29, so the provided statistics are reflective of the entire eruption to this point.

Color photograph of scientist checking camera on rim of crater

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

May 1 is lei day in Hawaii, and today scientists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory checked on the S2cam on the rim of Kīlauea volcano. The camera had been sending images intermittently over the past 24 hours and needed new batteries. This camera provides views of the north and south vent that have been erupting episodically since December 23, 2025, within Halemaʻumaʻu. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of erupting volcanic vent

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

On May 1, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed a small spatter cone that has built up within the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu. Over the past day, spattering has been visible in the V1cam livestream within the north vent and this photo provides a closer view of the spattering source. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of scientist monitoring eruption

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist uses a handheld laser rangefinder to determine the height of the small spatter cone within the north vent on May 1, 2025. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of scientist checking monitoring equipment on the rim of a crater

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist sets up a video camera to capture the intermittent minor spattering within the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu on May 1, 2025. The north and south vents are just out of the camera frame, below the scientist in the lower left part of the photo. Steam and volcanic gas being emitted by the vents are being blow southwest by the trade winds today. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of volcanic vent erupting — On May 1, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed a small spatter cone that had built up by intermittent spattering within the north vent over the past several days in Halemaʻumaʻu. The small spatter cone was about 5 meters (16 feet) higher than the vent floor below it, while the rim of the north cone was measured as another 3 meters (10 feet) above the top of the inner spatter cone. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.