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Color photograph of a volcanic plume rising above a highway
December 6, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu eruption episode 38 plume
December 6, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu eruption episode 38 plume
December 6, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu eruption episode 38 plume

An eruptive plume rises from the summit of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Highway 11 near Volcano Village on the Island of Hawaiʻi. This plume was generated during episode 38 of lava fountaining within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, which took place on December 6, 2025. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

An eruptive plume rises from the summit of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Highway 11 near Volcano Village on the Island of Hawaiʻi. This plume was generated during episode 38 of lava fountaining within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, which took place on December 6, 2025. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

Color photograph of volcanic plume
December 6, 2025—Tephra falls from the episode 38 eruptive plume in Halemaʻumaʻu
December 6, 2025—Tephra falls from the episode 38 eruptive plume in Halemaʻumaʻu
December 6, 2025—Tephra falls from the episode 38 eruptive plume in Halemaʻumaʻu

This telephoto view shows the darker-colored, cooler tephra particles erupted by the episode 38 lava fountains falling from the eruptive plume. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

Color photograph of scientists walking on a closed road with volcanic eruption in the distance
December 6, 2025—Monitoring eruption episode 38 in Halemaʻumaʻu crater
December 6, 2025—Monitoring eruption episode 38 in Halemaʻumaʻu crater
December 6, 2025—Monitoring eruption episode 38 in Halemaʻumaʻu crater

In the late morning of December 6, a crew of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists walked to the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu to watch Kīlauea summit eruption episode 38. Along the way they had dramatic views of the eruptive plume, which reached an altitude of over 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level during this episode. USGS photo by M.

In the late morning of December 6, a crew of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists walked to the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu to watch Kīlauea summit eruption episode 38. Along the way they had dramatic views of the eruptive plume, which reached an altitude of over 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level during this episode. USGS photo by M.

Color photograph of lava fountaining and road
December 6, 2025—Lava fountains in Halemaʻumaʻu crater during episode 38
December 6, 2025—Lava fountains in Halemaʻumaʻu crater during episode 38
December 6, 2025—Lava fountains in Halemaʻumaʻu crater during episode 38

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crew captured this photo of Kīlauea summit eruption episode 38 from the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu just after noon on December 6. This was shortly after the north vent shut down, so only south vent lava fountains were ongoing, measured to reach 920 feet (280 meters) in height at the time. USGS photo by M.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crew captured this photo of Kīlauea summit eruption episode 38 from the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu just after noon on December 6. This was shortly after the north vent shut down, so only south vent lava fountains were ongoing, measured to reach 920 feet (280 meters) in height at the time. USGS photo by M.

Color photograph of lava fountain and fallout
December 6, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu crater aerial overview
December 6, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu crater aerial overview
December 6, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu crater aerial overview

During Kīlauea summit eruption episode 38 on December 6, "tephra-nadoes" made a return, as seen to the left of the lava fountain in this photo. Swirling winds in the tephra fallout plume led to this short-lived twister, spotted by a field crew on the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

During Kīlauea summit eruption episode 38 on December 6, "tephra-nadoes" made a return, as seen to the left of the lava fountain in this photo. Swirling winds in the tephra fallout plume led to this short-lived twister, spotted by a field crew on the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Videos

Color photograph of lava fountain with tree in foreground Color photograph of lava fountain with tree in foreground
December 6, 2025—Video views of episode 38 in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Kīlauea summit
December 6, 2025—Video views of episode 38 in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Kīlauea summit

Views of Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountaining episode 38 in Halema‘uma‘u crater on the Island of Hawai‘i. This eruptive episode began from the north vent at about 8:45 am HST this morning, December 6.

Color photograph of incandescent lava particles falling to the ground Color photograph of incandescent lava particles falling to the ground
December 6, 2025—Video of V3cam being destroyed by lava fountain
December 6, 2025—Video of V3cam being destroyed by lava fountain

The V3 camera was located on the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i. The camera, located in a hazardous closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, was buried by tephra from an inclined lava fountain between 9:55 and 9:57 am HST on December 6, during episode 38 that began this morning at 8:45 am.

The V3 camera was located on the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i. The camera, located in a hazardous closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, was buried by tephra from an inclined lava fountain between 9:55 and 9:57 am HST on December 6, during episode 38 that began this morning at 8:45 am.

Color photograph of volcanic crater with vents and lava flows Color photograph of volcanic crater with vents and lava flows
December 2, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu crater overflight video
December 2, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu crater overflight video

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted the monitoring overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater the morning of December 2, 2025.

View of volcanic vent that is degassing View of volcanic vent that is degassing
December 2, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu north vent video
December 2, 2025—Halemaʻumaʻu north vent video

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight the morning of December 2, 2025, geologists were able to see a spattering lava surface deep within the north vent. The yellow material around the vents is native sulfur.

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight the morning of December 2, 2025, geologists were able to see a spattering lava surface deep within the north vent. The yellow material around the vents is native sulfur.

Color photograph of lava fountains Color photograph of lava fountains
November 25, 2025—Video of Kīlauea summit eruption episode 37
November 25, 2025—Video of Kīlauea summit eruption episode 37

Episode 37 of the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu began November 25 at 2:30 p.m. with lava fountaining from the north vent.  A wide fountain developed, eventually reaching heights of 500-600 ft (150-180 meters), sending flows across a broad portion of the crater floor.

Episode 37 of the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu began November 25 at 2:30 p.m. with lava fountaining from the north vent.  A wide fountain developed, eventually reaching heights of 500-600 ft (150-180 meters), sending flows across a broad portion of the crater floor.

Color photograph of volcanic vent with roiling lava in it Color photograph of volcanic vent with roiling lava in it
Lava overflow activity prior to episode 37
Lava overflow activity prior to episode 37

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed lava roiling in the north and south vents at the summit of Kīlauea on Friday, November 21. Shortly after, lava flowed onto Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor for the first time since episode 36 (November 9). That activity continued through the weekend, with 73 overflows total.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed lava roiling in the north and south vents at the summit of Kīlauea on Friday, November 21. Shortly after, lava flowed onto Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor for the first time since episode 36 (November 9). That activity continued through the weekend, with 73 overflows total.

Audio

Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into the Lava L...
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into the Lava L...
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater

Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.

Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.

USGS CoreCast
USGS CoreCast Series
USGS CoreCast Series
Dramatic Developments at Kilauea Volcano
Dramatic Developments at Kilauea Volcano
USGS CoreCast
USGS CoreCast Series
USGS CoreCast Series
Dramatic Developments at Kilauea Volcano

Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.

Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.

Webcams

Color webcam image
[V3cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (south Halemaʻumaʻu crater)
[V3cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (south Halemaʻumaʻu crater)
[V3cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (south Halemaʻumaʻu crater)

Last 24 Hours - Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the south rim of the crater [V3cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Disclaimer

Last 24 Hours - Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the south rim of the crater [V3cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Disclaimer

Color image of caldera
[V2cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (east Halemaʻumaʻu crater)
[V2cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (east Halemaʻumaʻu crater)
[V2cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (east Halemaʻumaʻu crater)

Live view of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) and Halemaʻumaʻu crater, from the northeast rim of the caldera [V2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Disclaimer

Live view of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) and Halemaʻumaʻu crater, from the northeast rim of the caldera [V2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Disclaimer

Color image of volcano
[S2cam] - View of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, view is to the west
[S2cam] - View of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, view is to the west
[S2cam] - View of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, view is to the west

Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea; camera is positioned on the south rim and the view is to the west [S2cam]. 

Disclaimer

Color image of volcano
[KOcam] Live Image of upper East Rift Zone from Maunaulu
[KOcam] Live Image of upper East Rift Zone from Maunaulu
[KOcam] Live Image of upper East Rift Zone from Maunaulu

This image is from a temporary research camera positioned near Maunaulu, looking northwest toward the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea.

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Color webcam image
[MITDcam] Kīlauea upper Southwest Rift Zone
[MITDcam] Kīlauea upper Southwest Rift Zone
[MITDcam] Kīlauea upper Southwest Rift Zone

[MITDcam] Live view of Kīlauea's upper Southwest Rift Zone, looking northwest from a seismic station in the Kaʻū Desert.

[MITDcam] Live view of Kīlauea's upper Southwest Rift Zone, looking northwest from a seismic station in the Kaʻū Desert.

Live webcam of Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii
Kīlauea Volcano Live Stream - Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Kīlauea Volcano Live Stream - Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Kīlauea Volcano Live Stream - Halemaʻumaʻu crater

Live view of the eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu, from the northwest rim of the caldera, looking east [V1cam] on the USGS YouTube Channel.

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