Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Kīlauea images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. Most of the data for this map were collected during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on May 22, 2026, so the provided statistics are reflective of the entire eruption through episode 47 on May 14–15.
This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. Most of the data for this map were collected during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on May 22, 2026, so the provided statistics are reflective of the entire eruption through episode 47 on May 14–15.
An aerial view from the west side of Halemaʻumaʻu shows the 150-foot (45 meter) high tephra cone that has formed on the rim of the crater during the 2024–ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. Gas emitted from the north and south vents, not currently erupting, is visible wafting over the rim of the crater. USGS photo by D. Downs.
An aerial view from the west side of Halemaʻumaʻu shows the 150-foot (45 meter) high tephra cone that has formed on the rim of the crater during the 2024–ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. Gas emitted from the north and south vents, not currently erupting, is visible wafting over the rim of the crater. USGS photo by D. Downs.
As USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory traversed under the volcanic plume from Kīlauea summit where it was transported downwind into the Kaʻū Desert area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, they captured this view of the Maunaiki shield and Kaʻū Desert trail.
As USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory traversed under the volcanic plume from Kīlauea summit where it was transported downwind into the Kaʻū Desert area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, they captured this view of the Maunaiki shield and Kaʻū Desert trail.
A view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall near the south sulphur bank area, where the basalt has been altered and weathered by long-term degassing in this area, causing the pastel colors of discoloration.
A view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall near the south sulphur bank area, where the basalt has been altered and weathered by long-term degassing in this area, causing the pastel colors of discoloration.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted a monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit the morning of May 22, 2026. During the overflight, they collected imagery to create a three-dimensional model of the crater floor, thermal imagery to determine the extent of episode 47 lava flows, and traversed beneath the volcanic plume to measure emission rates.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted a monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit the morning of May 22, 2026. During the overflight, they collected imagery to create a three-dimensional model of the crater floor, thermal imagery to determine the extent of episode 47 lava flows, and traversed beneath the volcanic plume to measure emission rates.
During a monitoring overflight on May 22, 2026, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists captured this aerial view looking down into the south vent in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. Magma was visible within both the south and north vents during the overflight; the north vent is visible degassing on the right side of this image.
During a monitoring overflight on May 22, 2026, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists captured this aerial view looking down into the south vent in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. Magma was visible within both the south and north vents during the overflight; the north vent is visible degassing on the right side of this image.
A view of the volcanic plume from the degassing north and south vents in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. Trade winds during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on May 22, 2026, transported the plume to the southwest, into the Kaʻū Desert and closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
A view of the volcanic plume from the degassing north and south vents in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. Trade winds during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on May 22, 2026, transported the plume to the southwest, into the Kaʻū Desert and closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
This view, from the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, shows the north and south vents degassing with the slope of the tephra cone on the crater rim visible in the background. USGS photo by M. Cappos.
This view, from the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, shows the north and south vents degassing with the slope of the tephra cone on the crater rim visible in the background. USGS photo by M. Cappos.
Left: Lava fountains on January 1, 1985, during episode 29 of the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Right: Lava fountains on January 24, 2026, during episode 41 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption.
Left: Lava fountains on January 1, 1985, during episode 29 of the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Right: Lava fountains on January 24, 2026, during episode 41 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption.
Comparison of the 1983–1986 Puʻuʻōʻō eruption lava fountain heights (top) with those of the 2024–ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption (bottom).
Comparison of the 1983–1986 Puʻuʻōʻō eruption lava fountain heights (top) with those of the 2024–ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption (bottom).
The area south of Halema‘uma‘u has many ground cracks, many associated with the 2018 Kīlauea summit collapse and others associated with more recent earthquakes and ground deformation. While tephra from the ongoing summit eruption has covered and obscured many ground cracks, the deposit itself in places has deep cracks.
The area south of Halema‘uma‘u has many ground cracks, many associated with the 2018 Kīlauea summit collapse and others associated with more recent earthquakes and ground deformation. While tephra from the ongoing summit eruption has covered and obscured many ground cracks, the deposit itself in places has deep cracks.
This telephoto view looking northwest shows the south vent (center), with the north vent (right) just out of view, in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. In the leadup to episode 47, the south vent had about 75 overflows, but only the north vent produced lava fountaining during episode 47. Both vents are degassing in the photo.
This telephoto view looking northwest shows the south vent (center), with the north vent (right) just out of view, in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. In the leadup to episode 47, the south vent had about 75 overflows, but only the north vent produced lava fountaining during episode 47. Both vents are degassing in the photo.
Misty weather partially obscured views of episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. This photo was taken approximately 2 1/2 hours into the eruptive episode, which began at 3:27 p.m. HST. Only the north vent erupted a lava fountain, which fed channelized lava flows across the crater floor within Kaluapele. USGS photo by L. Forster.
Misty weather partially obscured views of episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. This photo was taken approximately 2 1/2 hours into the eruptive episode, which began at 3:27 p.m. HST. Only the north vent erupted a lava fountain, which fed channelized lava flows across the crater floor within Kaluapele. USGS photo by L. Forster.
The lava fountain erupting from the north vent during episode 47 on May 14, 2026, seen here, sent light tephra into public areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities to the northeast. Tephra is a general term for any fragmental material ejected during a volcanic eruption. USGS photo by L. Gallant.
The lava fountain erupting from the north vent during episode 47 on May 14, 2026, seen here, sent light tephra into public areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities to the northeast. Tephra is a general term for any fragmental material ejected during a volcanic eruption. USGS photo by L. Gallant.
The north vent (right in photo) in Halemaʻumaʻu erupted a lava fountain during episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. It reached a maximum height of around 650 feet (200 meters). The south vent (left in photo) had intermittent spattering during the first two hours of the episode. USGS photo by L. Forster.
The north vent (right in photo) in Halemaʻumaʻu erupted a lava fountain during episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. It reached a maximum height of around 650 feet (200 meters). The south vent (left in photo) had intermittent spattering during the first two hours of the episode. USGS photo by L. Forster.
The lava fountain erupted by the north vent during episode 47 on May 14, 2026, reached about 650 feet (200 m) in height. It fed lava flows that covered portions of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea's summit caldera. USGS photo by L. Gallant.
The lava fountain erupted by the north vent during episode 47 on May 14, 2026, reached about 650 feet (200 m) in height. It fed lava flows that covered portions of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea's summit caldera. USGS photo by L. Gallant.
K2cam captured this view of the north vent lava fountain visible from Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during eruptive episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. Visitors line the rock wall at the overlook to see the fountain from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the distance. USGS webcam image.
K2cam captured this view of the north vent lava fountain visible from Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during eruptive episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. Visitors line the rock wall at the overlook to see the fountain from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the distance. USGS webcam image.
Episode 47 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit began at approximately 3:27 p.m. HST Thursday, May 14, and continued for about 9 hours. Only the north vent produced high fountains with only sporadic spattering activity from the south vent. This photo taken around 5 p.m.
Episode 47 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit began at approximately 3:27 p.m. HST Thursday, May 14, and continued for about 9 hours. Only the north vent produced high fountains with only sporadic spattering activity from the south vent. This photo taken around 5 p.m.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists monitor lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea during episode 47 on May 14. 2026. From various locations around Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, USGS scientists check for tephra fallout, document and characterize eruptive activity, and measure the lava fountain and volcanic plume heights.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists monitor lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea during episode 47 on May 14. 2026. From various locations around Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, USGS scientists check for tephra fallout, document and characterize eruptive activity, and measure the lava fountain and volcanic plume heights.
Episode 47 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea at 3:27 p.m. HST on May 14th, 2026. This photo was taken nearly three hours later, at 6:18 p.m., from the south rim of the crater, and shows the north vent lava fountain (left) feeding lava flows that are advancing across the crater floor. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
Episode 47 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea at 3:27 p.m. HST on May 14th, 2026. This photo was taken nearly three hours later, at 6:18 p.m., from the south rim of the crater, and shows the north vent lava fountain (left) feeding lava flows that are advancing across the crater floor. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
Episode 47 of the ongoing eruption at Halema‘uma‘u started at on May 14 at 3:27 p.m. HST and lasted 9 hours. This photo was taken shortly after sunset at 6:55 p.m. HST. The incandescent north vent lava fountain and its associated lava flows are seen through the vegetation at Kīlauea's summit region. USGS photo by L. Forster.
Episode 47 of the ongoing eruption at Halema‘uma‘u started at on May 14 at 3:27 p.m. HST and lasted 9 hours. This photo was taken shortly after sunset at 6:55 p.m. HST. The incandescent north vent lava fountain and its associated lava flows are seen through the vegetation at Kīlauea's summit region. USGS photo by L. Forster.