Images

Backscattered electron image of olivine grains erupted at the summit of Kīlauea. Numbers in grains are forsterite (Fo) contents that measure the ratio of Magnesium (Mg) and Iron (Fe). Fo=100*(Mg/(Mg+Fe)). Panel A shows a typical olivine that has one composition (Fo83).

A) Maximum lava fountain heights during episodes 1-51 of the episodic eruption at the summit of Kīlauea in meters with three cycles of fountain height growth. B) Magnesium oxide (MgO) concentrations in the glass of tephra samples from episodes 1-51. 

During the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on July 29, geologists had clear views to the east of Kīlauea summit—a somewhat rare occurrence, as this area is often cloaked in misty rain. Here, Kīlauea Iki is seen in the foreground, with the East Rift Zone stretching across the background.

On July 29, clear skies provided USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists with excellent views of Halema‘uma‘u during a morning helicopter overflight after Kīlauea summit eruption episode 52 ended overnight. In fact, the only cloud casting shadows over the crater was the residual gas plume from the eruptive vents, which was rising vertically due to calm winds.

This thermal map shows the summit of Kīlauea hours after the end of episode 52 lava fountaining on July 29, 2026. The lava flow produced by this fountain mainly flowed along the southern perimeter of the crater floor, and was stalled by the time of the overflight. However, several small breakouts were still active in several areas. 

Only the north vent erupted a lava fountain during episode 52 at the summit of Kīlauea. The south vent did not erupt any lava during precursory activity or the eruptive episode, but it did emit flames at the end of the episode. The north vent lava fountain reached a peak height of approximately 500 feet (150 meters) around 9:00 p.m. HST on July 28, 2026.

The eruption plume during episode 52 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea rose to an estimated 19,000 (5,800 meters) above sea level. The incandescent lava erupted by the north vent, and lava flows on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, illuminated the plume which was visible for many miles from the summit of Kīlauea, along with a full moon. USGS photo by K.

A full moon and a lava fountain illuminated the evening sky on July 28, 2026, as the summit of Kīlauea erupted a lava fountain for the 52nd time since December 2024. USGS photo by D. Downs. 

At Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, visitors were illuminated in the evening light by a full moon and 52nd episode of lava fountaining in at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick on July 28, 2026. 

Silhouettes of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitors on the rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) were created by the Kīlauea summit eruption episode 52 lava fountains and eruption plume on the night of July 28, 2026. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Lava fountained from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea for nearly 7.5 hours on the night of July 28-29, 2026. During the eruptive episode, the instantaneous effusion rate peaked at about 350 cubic yards (270 cubic meters) per second at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Another view of the north vent lava fountain during episode 52 at the summit of Kīlauea on July 28, 2026. Precursory activity began from the north vent on the morning of July 28 with 6 overflows between 10:22 a.m. and 1:53 p.m. HST, the longest lasting over 30 minutes.

During the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on July 16, scientists flew across Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone for measurements of the gas plume drifting downwind of the Halema‘uma‘u eruptive vents.

During the 2018 summit collapse of Kīlauea, portions of Crater Rim Drive fell into Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Eruptions in Halemaʻumaʻu since 2018 have slowly filled in much of the collapsed area.

A telephoto view of the top of the north vent lava fountain during episode 51 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kīlauea on July 15, 2026. Darker-colored solidified lava is visible wafting above the lava fountain.

Episode 51 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 8 hours on July 15, 2026. This photograph of the episode was taken by the V2cam, located on the easter rim of the crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS webcam image. 

Episode 51 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 8 hours on July 15, 2026. This photograph of the episode was taken by the V1cam, located on the northwest rim of the crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS webcam image. 

A view of the lava fountain erupting from the north vent during episode 51 on July 15, 2026. Fountain heights reached up to about 950 feet (290 meters) and effusion rates reached a peak of about 400 cubic yards per second (300 cubic meters per second) at 10:30 a.m. HST July 15. This photo was taken shortly afterward, at around 11 a.m. HST. USGS photo by K.

On July 15, Kīlauea summit eruption episode 51 lava fountains were a sight to behold from Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Large crowds gathered to watch lava fountains from the Halemaʻumaʻu north vent, along with flows on the crater floor. Light tephra fell at Uēkahuna between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Episode 51 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 8 hours on July 15, 2026. This photograph of the episode was taken by the K2cam, located near Uēkahuna bluff in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and shows visitors viewing the eruption. USGS webcam image. 

Halemaʻumaʻu north vent lava fountains were reaching about 150 meters (500 feet) in height when a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist snapped this photo from Uēkahuna overlook around 11:45 a.m. HST on July 15 during episode 51.