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Observatory Messages

This page displays the latest volcano observatory short messages issued by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. These short messages are quick status updates published on our website, social media, RSS and JSON. They supplement more detailed official products published in the Volcano Notification Service. 

Filter Total Items: 891
Kilauea Message 2025-09-02 03:32:54 HST
Cyclic overflows of the north vent started at 2:48 AM HST followed by others at 2:58 and 3:12 AM HST. Durations increased from 6 to 10 to 14 minutes and ended with drainbacks of just a few feet. Fountains are about 10 feet.
Kilauea Message 2025-09-02 01:20:56 HST
Since around 8:30 p.m. HST on September 1, lava has filled the north vent several times during the course of gas pistoning cycles. At 12:44 a.m. HST, lava overflowed the vent for the first time in advance of eruptive episode 32.
Kilauea Message 2025-09-01 21:53:43 HST
Minor spattering has been occurring in the north vent over the past 24 hours. Magma rose to the top of the column and ponded under a thin crust. Occasional overflows alternate with minor drainbacks. All activity is confined to the vent.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-31 20:48:07 HST
Minor spattering is visible at times in the north vent; it began just before 8 PM HST. The spatter and bright glow indicate magma has risen to high levels in the vent. Episode 32 fountains are not likely to begin until Wed-Sat of this week.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-23 03:04:27 HST
Episode 31 ended at 2:52 a.m. HST on August 23 after 12.6 hours of fountaining from the north vent. Lava flows covered over 75% of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-22 20:45:21 HST
Oblique fountains continue from the north vent, while spattering is feeding small flows from the south vent and a vent in the rubble above the north vent. Based on past episodes, 31 should continue for another 3-6 hours.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-22 14:39:39 HST
Episode 31 fountains began at 2:04 p.m. HST and have been steadily growing in size to over 325 feet (100 m). The fountains are coming out of the north vent at a 45-degree angle and would be over 500 feet high if they were straight up.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-22 13:57:07 HST
Dome fountains and lava flows from the north vent continue to slowly increase. Fountains are now 20-40 feet high and are feeding a narrow flow that extends about 1000 feet onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu. Episode 31 could begin any time.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-22 12:06:28 HST
Sluggish overflows from the north vent began at 11:45 AM HST and reached the bottom of the vent by 11:50 AM HST. This is likely the start of continuous precursory overflows that remove the degassed lava from the vent system.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-22 11:45:10 HST
Spattering in the north vent has been continuous and levels slowly rising since 8:30 AM HST. Dome fountains (10-20 feet high) have been building an inner cone. Gas pistoning cycles began diminishing at 6:30 AM and were gone by 8:30 AM.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-22 06:20:21 HST
Gas piston cycles continue in the north vent. Magma rises to the surface, then spattering and gas release cause the level to drop back down. Rapid inflation continued overnight making it likely that episode 31 will start today or tomorrow.
Kilauea Message 2025-08-21 21:10:32 HST
A short overflow from the north vent at 8:45 to 8:48 pm HST went less than 100 feet. Drainback and fountaining followed the flow, typical of gas piston cycles. More short overflows may be expected if current conditions continue.
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