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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the caldera rim at Kīlauea this morning and observed the end of the summit eruption's eleventh episode, as fountains shut down at both eruptive vents between approximately 6:30 and 7:00 am.

The density of clasts produced by recent fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea is similar to that of a kitchen sponge, due to abundant gas bubbles. These bubbles range in size from ones too small to see, up to larger ones about the size of golf balls. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses a laser rangefinder to measure the evolving height of cinder cones produced by recent lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea. Today, February 26, the highest part of the tallest cone rim was about 160 feet (48 meters) above the crater floor. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists captured this view of episode 10 of the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u during a sunrise field shift on February 20, 2025. HVO scientists measured fountain heights of about 45-50 m (148-164 feet) on average with frequent pulses reaching 60-65 meters (197-213 feet).

An overview of episode 10 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption the morning of February 20, 2025. Episode 10 ended later that morning at 9:18 a.m HST, after just under 13 hours of fountaining.

Ground tilt and eruptive episodes associated with Kīlauea summit eruption December 23, 2024, until February 20, 2025. The ten eruptive episodes in Halemaʻumaʻu are highlighted in red. 

A telephoto view of the north vent erupting during episode 10 of the 2024-2025 Halemʻumaʻu eruption within Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea. USGS photo by L. Gallant during the morning of February 20, 2025. 

Early on February 12, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews were able to measure lava fountain heights (45-50 m, or 148-164 feet), lava lake levels (about 19 m or 63 feet of vertical change from the fountain base to the distal lava flows), and lava flow velocities (14 meters per second, or 50 feet per second) before activity at both vents ceased over a

Over the course of ten minutes, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews observed the south vent activity cease until lava could no longer be seen or heard from the south vent. At 8:43 a.m. HST on February 12, 2025, episode 9 of the 2024-2025 Halema‘uma‘u eruption was over. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

During a monitoring overflight at approximately 12:30 p.m., USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff observed active lava still flowing on the surface within Halema‘uma‘u.

Abruptly at 8:30 a.m. HST on February 12, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews nearby heard the shutdown of fountaining at the north vent. Visual confirmation at 8:34 a.m. confirmed that the north vent was no longer active, and the south vent fountain was greatly reduced and no longer inclined to the east.

A patchwork of lava flows of different colors and different ages cover the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Nine lava fountaining episodes in the southwest part of Kalupele since December 23, 2024, have fed lava flows that work their way east across the caldera floor. Although episode 9 of the eruption paused February 12, at 8:43 a.m.

Around 7 a.m. HST on February 12, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) field crews observed vigorous fountaining from both the north and south vents of the ongoing 2024-2025 eruption. The south and north cones were 31 m (102 feet) and 45 m (148 feet) tall, respectively. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

At 7 a.m. HST on February 12, 2025, episode 9 of Kīlauea's 2024-2025 eruption continued at both the north and south vents with fountain heights of 45-50 m (148-164 feet). The south vent fountain was inclined (at an angle) to the east. Both vents fed active lava flows that stretched over one kilometer (0.62 miles) across the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS photo by K.

The north and south vents in Halema‘uma‘u were partially hidden in the shadows of clouds during the monitoring overflight at 12:30 p.m. HST today, February 12, but the plumes of volcanic gas emissions helped to illuminate their positions.

The Kīlauea Halema‘uma‘u eruption resumed with the start of episode 9 the morning of February 11, 2025. Both the north and south vent were active the evening of February 11, with the north vent lava fountain reaching heights of 50-60 meters (160-200 feet) and a max height of 75 meters (250 feet) at 7:40 p.m. HST.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the Kīlauea eruption site at Haleaʻumaʻu the morning of February 11, 2025, just prior to the start of episode 9 of the eruption. From the caldera rim, they captured this view within the north vent, where the occasional spattering over the day prior had constructed a small cone within the vent. USGS photo by M.

View of episode 9 lava fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea the evening of February 11, 2025. Lava fountain heights were decreased from the morning of February 11, when episode 9 began. At approximately 8:15 p.m.

On the evening of February 11, 2025, USGS geologists deployed to the rim of Kaluapele to observe and document episode nine of the ongoing December 2024–February 2025 Halema‘uma‘u eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. Near the KWcam site, USGS geologists checked on timelapse cameras that have been capturing the ongoing eruption since December 23, 2024.

Episode 9 of the Halema'uma'u eruption at the summit of Kīlauea began at 10:16 am HST today, February 11. Lava is fountaining within north vent, feeding lava flows onto the crater floor within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Each fountaining episode of this eruption has lasted from a few hours to over a week.

A ranger in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park talks to a visitor at the Volcano House, where there have been good views of the recent lava fountaining. USGS photo by M. Patrick.