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Eruptive activity at the summit of Kīlauea, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, has been episodic since an eruption began on December 23, 2024.
Kīlauea is in a unique phase of activity in Halemaʻumaʻu, with episodes of lava fountaining erupting from two vents (north and south) since the eruption began the night of December 23, 2024.
These spectacular lava fountains have been easily visible from many of the publicly accessible overlooks within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Even so, hazards persist during volcanic activity for those visiting to enjoy the sights. Shifting winds blow around elevated concentrations of volcanic gases, particularly strong-smelling sulfur dioxide (SO2), and tephra (including Pele’s hair that are mostly comprised of volcanic glass). The gases and small glassy particles can irritate respiratory systems, and Pele’s hair can form splinters under the skin.
What characterizes an episode?
During the ongoing eruption, tiltmeters have shown inflationary tilt prior to a lava fountaining episode, as pressure builds beneath the surface, and a switch to deflationary tilt when a lava fountain episode begins, indicative of the pressure within the magma chambers being released. The switch to deflationary tilt generally defines an episode start, along with an increase in fountaining vigor.
The inflationary and deflationary ground deformation associated with every lava fountain episode creates a saw-tooth pattern in tilt records since the eruption began.
Electronic tilt at Kīlauea summit - since the eruption started in December 2024
Laser rangefinder Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor elevation at Kīlauea summit - Past Year
All times in the table below are Hawaiian Standard Time (HST). Some data in this table were derived and not measured. All data are preliminary and subject to revision. If you have questions about the data, please contact the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at askHVO@usgs.gov. Note that episodes 17 and earlier may include precursory activity in the duration (rather than just the fountaining activity). Most episode duration and pauses are rounded to the nearest hour or day.
| Episode Number | Start Date/Time (HST) | Pause Date/Time (HST) | Eruptive Episode Duration | Pause Duration Following Episode | Approximate Maximum Fountain Height (meters) | Approximate volume of lava erupted (million cubic meters) | Notes |
| 1 | December 23, 2024 - 2:20 a.m. | December 23, 2024 - 4 p.m. | 14 hours | 16 hours | 158 | 9.3 | Fissures open, eruption focuses on north and south vents |
| 2 | December 24, 2024 - 8 a.m. | December 25, 2024 - 11 a.m. | 27 hours | 21 hours | 95 | 4.7 | Several vents reactivate |
| 3 | December 26, 2024 - 8 a.m. | January 3, 2025 - 8:30 p.m. | 8.5 days | 12 days | 86 | 13.0 | Several vents reactivate, activity focuses at north and south vents |
| 4 | January 15, 2025 - 9 a.m. | January 18, 2025 - 10:10 a.m. | 3 days | 4 days | 95 | 6.5 | North and south vents active |
| 5 | January 22, 2025 - 2:30 p.m. | January 23, 2025 - 4:30 a.m. | 14 hours | 2 days | 41 | 1.0 | North vent active only |
| 6 | January 24, 2025 - 11:28 p.m. | January 25, 2025 - 12:36 p.m. | 13 hours | 2 days | 70 | 1.1 | North vent active only |
| 7 | January 27, 2025 - 6:41 p.m. | January 28, 2025 - 10:41 a.m. | 16 hours | 6 days | 89 | 2.9 | North and south vents active |
| 8 | February 3, 2025 - 9:52 p.m. | February 4, 2025 - 7:23 p.m. | 22 hours | 7 days | 114 | 4.6 | North and south vents active |
| 9 | February 11, 2025 - 10:16 a.m. | February 12, 2025 - 8:43 a.m. | 22 hours | 7 days | 135 | 5.2 | North and south vents active |
| 10 | February 19, 2025 - 8:22 p.m. | February 20, 2025 - 9:18 a.m. | 13 hours | 5 days | 146 | 2.5 | North vent active only |
| 11 | February 25, 2025 - 6:26 p.m. | February 26, 2025 - 7:06 a.m. | 13 hours | 6 days | 157 | 4.0 | North and south vents active |
| 12 | March 4, 2025 - 7:30 a.m. | March 5, 2025 - 10:37 a.m. | 27 hours | 6 days | 176 | 4.4 | North and south vents active |
| 13 | March 11, 2025 - 2:36 a.m. | March 11, 2025 - 3:13 p.m. | 13 hours | 8 days | 215 | 5.5 | North and south vents active |
| 14 | March 19, 2025 - 9:26 a.m. | March 20, 2025 - 1:49 p.m. | 28 hours | 5 days | 225 | 2.4 | North and south vents active |
| 15 | March 25, 2025 - 12:04 p.m. | March 26, 2025 - 7:10 p.m. | 31 hours | 5 days | 322 | 3.6 | North and south vents active |
| 16 | March 31, 2025 - 10:57 p.m. | April 2, 2025 - 12:04 p.m. | 37 hours | 5 days | 326 | 6.0 | North and south vents active, south vent dominant |
| 17 | April 7, 2025 - 10:15 p.m. | April 9, 2025 - 9:45 a.m. | 35.5 hours | 13 days | 73 | 3.9 | North and south vents active |
| 18 | April 22, 2025 - 3:30 a.m. | April 22, 2025 - 1:28 p.m. | 10 hours | 9 days | 266 | 5.2 | Precursory low-level activity began on April 16, 2025 - 10:01 p.m.; north and south vents active, south vent dominant |
| 19 | May 1, 2025 - 9:28 p.m. | May 2, 2025 - 5:20 a.m. | 8 hours | 5 days | 126 | 2.8 | Precursory low-level activity began on May 1, 2025 - 11:49 a.m.; north vent active only |
| 20 | May 6, 2025 - 5:28 p.m. | May 6, 2025 - 9:28 p.m. | 4 hours | 5 days | 153 | 2.4 | Precursory low-level activity began on May 5, 2025 - 10:48 a.m.; north and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 21 | May 11, 2025 - 12:45 p.m. | May 11, 2025 - 8:36 p.m. | 8 hours | 4 days | 217 | 3.1 | North vent primarily active |
| 22 | May 16, 2025 - 5:13 a.m. | May 16, 2025 - 3:29 p.m. | 10 hours | 9 days | 276 | 3.6 | North vent active only |
| 23 | May 25, 2025 - 4:15 p.m. | May 25, 2025 - 10:25 p.m. | 6 hours | 10 days | 345 | 4.6 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 24 | June 4, 2025 - 8:55 p.m. | June 5, 2025 - 4:28 a.m. | 7.5 hours | 6 days | 364 | 5.0 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 25 | June 11, 2025 - 11:57 a.m. | June 11, 2025 - 8:08 p.m. | 8 hours | 8 days | 350 | 5.3 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 26 | June 20, 2025 - 1:40 a.m. | June 20, 2025 - 10:25 a.m. | 9 hours | 9 days | 371 | 6.6 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 27 | June 29, 2025 - 9:05 a.m. | June 29, 2025 - 7:54 p.m. | 11 hours | 8 days | 332 | 5.9 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 28 | July 9, 2025 - 4:10 a.m. | July 9 - 1:20 p.m. | 9 hours | 11 days | 321 | 5.2 | Only north vent active |
| 29 | July 20, 2025 - 5:15 a.m. | July 20 - 6:35 p.m. | 13 hours | 16 days | 63 | 6.7 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 30 | August 6, 2025 - 1:20 a.m. | August 6, 2025 - 12:55 p.m. | 12 hours | 16 days | 52 | 7.9 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant; new vent in southwest wall |
| 31 | August 22, 2025 - 2:04 p.m. | August 23, 2025 - 2:52 a.m. | 13 hours | 10 days | 88 | 7.6 | North and south vents active; north vent dominant and inclined. Intermediate vents also active |
| 32 | September 2, 2025 - 6:35 a.m. | September 2, 2025 - 8:01 p.m. | 12 hours | 16 days | 101 | 9.0 | North, south, and intermediate vents active; north vent inclined |
| 33 | September 19, 2025 - 3:11 a.m. | September 19, 2025 - 12:08 p.m. | 9 hours | 12 days | 249 | 5.7 | North and south vents active; north vent inclined |
| 34 | October 1, 2025 - 12:53 a.m. | October 1, 2025 - 7:03 a.m. | 6 hours | 17 days | 383 | 9.0 | North and south vents active; north vent inclined |
| 35 | October 17, 2025 - 8:05 p.m. | October 18, 2025 - 3:32 a.m. | 7 hours | 22 days | 479 | 10.2 | North and south vents active; north vent inclined |
| 36 | November 9, 2025 - 11:15 a.m. | November 9, 2025 - 4:16 p.m. | 5 hours | 16 days | 386 | 8.1 | North and south vents active, as well as small vent area south of south vent; north vent inclined |
| 37 | November 25, 2025 - 2:30 p.m. | November 25, 2025 - 11:39 p.m. | 9 hours | 10 days | 174 | 6.0 | Fountains active at north vent active only; lava visible in south vent |
| 38 | December 6, 2025 - 8:45 a.m. | December 6, 2025 - 8:52 p.m. | 12 hours | 17 days | 384 | 12.1 | North and south vents active; south vent dominant and inclined fountain |
| 39 | December 23, 2025 - 8:10 p.m. | December 24, 2025 - 2:13 a.m. | 6 hours | 19 days | 407 | 9.3 | North and south vents active |
| 40 | January 12, 2026 - 8:22 a.m. | January 12, 2026 - 6:04 p.m. | 10 hours | 12 days | 250 | 5.5 | North and south vents active; north vent dominant |
| 41 | January 24, 2026 - 11:10 a.m. | January 24, 2026 - 7:29 p.m. | 8 hours | 22 days | 450 | 10.6 | North and south vents active |
| 42 | February 15, 2026 - 1:50 p.m. | February 15, 2026 - 11:38 p.m. | 10 hours | TBD | 400 (may update) | 11.6 | North and south vents active, small intermediate fountain |
Lava fountains during eruptive episodes have reached up to 1570 feet (479 meters) above the vents. Material from the lava fountains, called tephra, is deposited near the vents and finer particles can be transported downwind.
Tephra is a word for any volcanic material that is erupted and travels through the air before landing on the ground. Tephra includes very small particles, such as volcanic ash, as well as light and frothy rocks full of holes called reticulite, more robust rocks like scoria, larger pieces called bombs, and ever-present strands of volcanic glass known as Pele’s Hair.
Most of the tephra has been deposited southwest of the active vents, in a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, A mound of tephra over 150 feet (45 meters) high has grown on the crater rim, and a blanket of tephra extends over a mile (2 km) to the southwest. Occasionally, tephra can fall on populated areas nearby or downwind.
Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to Pele's hair and other glassy volcanic fragments, which can cause skin and eye irritation and can also contaminate catchment water supplies. More information about how Pele's hair, its hazards, and what to do is available here. A recently updated Frequently Asked Questions document that includes information about potential health effects of Pele's hair is available here: https://vog.ivhhn.org/sites/default/files/PelesHair_FAQs_v2.pdf
Lava flows have been confined to the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera). This area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is closed to the public.
Large amounts of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)—are released during lava fountaining episodes at the summit of the Kīlauea. Episodes in the ongoing eruption have produced emission rates up to 75,000 tonnes per day of SO2. It’s likely that sulfur dioxide emission rates have been even higher during some eruptive episodes, though measurements have not been possible. When the lava fountains are not active, SO2 emission rates are decreased and in the range of 1,200 to 1,500 tonnes per day.
The plume of volcanic gas and fine tephra particles rising from the vents has reached more than 20,000 feet (6,000 m) above ground level and is transported by the wind. SO2 reacts in the atmosphere with oxygen, sunlight, moisture, and other gases and particles, and within hours to days, converts to fine particles. The particles scatter sunlight and cause the visible haze that is observed downwind of Kīlauea, known as vog (volcanic smog). Vog creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants, and affects livestock operations.
Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
In Hawaii, trade winds refer to the predominant condition of winds that flow from the northeast to the southwest. Where rising warm air from the Earthʻs surface meets the trade winds, an inversion layer exists between 5,000-10,000 feet (1,500-3,000 m) elevation. The inversion inhibits air below from rising above the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and causes air to flow around the mountains.
Eruptive plumes at the summit of Kīlauea can rise vertically and be sheared to the southwest where they encounter the trade wind inversion. During trade wind conditions, most volcanic gas and tephra is transported to the southwest. Larger tephra particles fall on the ground within 1-3 miles (1-5 kilometers) of the eruptive vent(s), with the highest concentrations immediately downwind of the vent(s) in the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Light particles, including Pele's hair, can be transported greater distances, 10 miles (15 kilometers) from the vent downwind.
During less common Kona wind conditions, material from Kīlauea summit eruptive plumes may be transported north/west. Slack wind conditions allow eruptive plumes at the summit of Kīlauea to rise buoyantly and billow outwards.
The subtropical jet stream can be at elevations above 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and consist of generally faster winds travelling from west/northwest to east/southeast. The volcanic plumes during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption have not encountered the subtropical jet stream.
Several lava fountaining episodes have resulted in tephra fall on visitor areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Highway 11 north of the vents, and neighboring communities. Where tephra falls is dependent on the eruptive episode (how high the lava fountains reach) and wind conditions (where the wind is blowing and how strongly).
| Episode | Date | Fountain Height above vent level | Wind Conditions | Plume Height above ground level unless otherwise noted | Impacts |
| 4 | January 15 - 18, 2025 | 330 feet/100 meters | No/light | Pele’s Hair fell in HAVO, Volcano Golf Course, Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates. In some areas, the hair tangled into tumble-weed like structures up to 60 cm (about two feet) long. | |
| 15 | March 26, 2024 | 1070 feet/325 meters | No/light | Tephrafall on Uēkahuna overlook in HAVO (cm-sized); Pele’s Hair fell on Volcano Golf Course and neighboring communities; HVO’s KWcam, F1cam, laser rangefinder power system damaged | |
| 16 | March 31 – April 2, 2025 | 1070 feet/325 meters | No/light | 10,000 feet/3000 meters | Tephra up to about an inch (a couple cm) fell on Highway 11 between mile markers 32 and 33; minor Pele’s Hair fell on Volcano Golf Course; minor brushfire in area northwest of vents on crater rim in closed area of HAVO |
| 23 | May 25, 2025 | 1150 feet/350 meters | Trades (from NE) | at least 5,000 feet/1500 meters | Peleʻs Hair reported in Pāhala |
| 28 | July 9, 2025 | 1050 feet/320 meters | Trades (from NE) | 15,000 feet/4500 meters | Peleʻs Hair reported in Captain Cook and Miloliʻi and on Highway 11 |
| 31 | August 22-23, 2025 | 328 feet/100 meters | Trades (from NE) | 10,000 feet/3000 meters | Pele's Hair deposition was reported in Pāhala |
| 34 | October 1, 2025 | 1230 feet/375 meters | Trades (from NE) | More than 15,000 feet/4500 meters | Fine particles (no larger strands) reported in Ocean View |
| 35 | October 17-18, 2025 | 1480 feet/450 meters | Northerly | More than 20,000 feet/6000 meters | Fist-sized clasts along Hwy 11 between Volcano and Pāhala (nothing reported in Pāhala). Fine ash particles reported in Ocean View. Damage to monitoring solar panels and heat damage to cameras |
| 36 | November 9, 2025 | 1230 feet/375 meters | Trades (from NE) | 10,000 feet/3000 meters | Ash fall reported in Waiʻōhinu; Pele's hair in Pāhala |
| 38 | December 6, 2025 | 1259 feet/384 meters | Trades (from NE) | More than 20,000 feet/6000 meters | Ash fall, Pele's Hair, and limu-o-Pele like material in Pāhala. Ashfall in Waiohinu/Nāʻālehu. Leser amounts of ash fall in Ocean View. |
| 41 | January 24, 2026 | 1475 feet/450 meters | Weak surface level, east/northeasterly winds at high levels | More than 20,000 feet/6000 meters | Tephra fallout densest within 5 miles (8 kilometers) east-northeast of the vents, covering parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and neighboring communities (Volcano Village, Mauna Loa estates, Ohia Estates). Farther away, parts of the Volcano Golf Course Community, Ohia Estates, Royal Hawaiian Estates, and Fern Forest received tephra fall ranging from Pele’s hair and ash to pieces of reticulite that were up to several inches (64 mm) in diameter. Communities even farther away, in the District of Puna and parts of South Hilo, saw light fall or a dusting of fine-grained ash and Pele’s hair, extending from Pepeekeo to Kalapana. |
| 42 | February 15, 2026 | 1310 feet (400 meters) | Trades (from NE) at ground level, east/northeasterly winds at high levels | 35,000 feet/10,670 meters above sea level (NWS) | Ash reported in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Ocean View. Pele's hair in Pāhala. |
Additional Information
Recent eruptions have taken place within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Please visit the Park website to learn more about their operations.
This video, taken from the west rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), in the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, shows the new eruption that started this morning at 2:20 a.m. HST. At approximately 4:30 a.m. HST, the lava fountains were reaching up to 80 meters (260 feet) and by 5:30 a.m., lava covered an area of approximately 400 acres on the caldera floor. USGS video by D. Downs.
This panorama, stitched from eight photos taken at different angles, shows the eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater and its volcanic gas plume in the dawn light on December 31, 2024. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
This panorama, stitched from eight photos taken at different angles, shows the eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater and its volcanic gas plume in the dawn light on December 31, 2024. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At dawn on December 31, 2024 the eruption in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) continued. The plume of volcanic gas seen here was blown to the southwest of Kaluapele across the closed Crater Rim Drive in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At dawn on December 31, 2024 the eruption in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) continued. The plume of volcanic gas seen here was blown to the southwest of Kaluapele across the closed Crater Rim Drive in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
Shortly after sunrise on December 31, 2024, the eruption at Kīlauea's summit continued with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains continuously feeding flows across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
Shortly after sunrise on December 31, 2024, the eruption at Kīlauea's summit continued with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains continuously feeding flows across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At 6:30 a.m. on December 31, 2024, the eruption continued in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains from two vents. A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crew observed continuous fountaining that fed an expanding lava fan across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At 6:30 a.m. on December 31, 2024, the eruption continued in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains from two vents. A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crew observed continuous fountaining that fed an expanding lava fan across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
Zoom view of the lava flow field from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024. The eruption continues to feed lava throughout Halemaʻumaʻu crater, where lava channels and outbreak lobes like these are forming. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
Zoom view of the lava flow field from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024. The eruption continues to feed lava throughout Halemaʻumaʻu crater, where lava channels and outbreak lobes like these are forming. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
Here, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes images and measurements of lava fountain heights during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024; the eruption began on December 23 and has continued in episodic pulses. Geologists conduct shifts throughout the week to monitor the eruption and note any changes.
Here, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes images and measurements of lava fountain heights during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024; the eruption began on December 23 and has continued in episodic pulses. Geologists conduct shifts throughout the week to monitor the eruption and note any changes.
This annotated image shows the lava flows and tephra deposits of the southwest portion of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera). The photo was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, with a view to the east.
This annotated image shows the lava flows and tephra deposits of the southwest portion of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera). The photo was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, with a view to the east.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater.
During a helicopter overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists were provided a low-level view of the eruptive vents in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
During a helicopter overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists were provided a low-level view of the eruptive vents in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This thermal map shows eruptive activity on December 30, 2024, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava fountaining and flows were active in the southwest portion of the caldera. Cooler colors (purple, black) show lower temperatures while hotter colors (orange, yellow) show higher temperatures.
This thermal map shows eruptive activity on December 30, 2024, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava fountaining and flows were active in the southwest portion of the caldera. Cooler colors (purple, black) show lower temperatures while hotter colors (orange, yellow) show higher temperatures.
This compilation shows thermal maps of Kīlauea summit eruption from December 23-30, 2024. Initially high eruption vigor resulted in lava flows covering much of the southwest portion of the caldera with active lava flows on December 23, 2024.
This compilation shows thermal maps of Kīlauea summit eruption from December 23-30, 2024. Initially high eruption vigor resulted in lava flows covering much of the southwest portion of the caldera with active lava flows on December 23, 2024.
An Aerial view of two eruptive cones in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit on the morning of December 30, 2024. The fissure fountains reached heights of approximately 30 meters (100 ft) and lava flows continue to cover a portion of the crater floor. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
An Aerial view of two eruptive cones in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit on the morning of December 30, 2024. The fissure fountains reached heights of approximately 30 meters (100 ft) and lava flows continue to cover a portion of the crater floor. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
This oblique aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking view of the active fountains of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This oblique aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking view of the active fountains of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a south-looking telephoto overhead view of the lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a south-looking telephoto overhead view of the lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. The lava fountains are visible in the center of the image, in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. The lava fountains are visible in the center of the image, in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains are reaching up to 30 m (100 ft) high and feeding the incandescent lava in the foreground. The current activity is concentrated in the western quarter of the crater floor. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D. Downs.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains are reaching up to 30 m (100 ft) high and feeding the incandescent lava in the foreground. The current activity is concentrated in the western quarter of the crater floor. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D. Downs.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active and inactive parts of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The dark black lava in the foreground covered most of the crater floor on the first day of the eruption, starting around 2:20 a.m. on December 23, 2024.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active and inactive parts of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The dark black lava in the foreground covered most of the crater floor on the first day of the eruption, starting around 2:20 a.m. on December 23, 2024.
A close-up photo taken just before dawn of the lava fountains in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, on December 30, 2024. These lava fountains are consistently reaching 30 m (100 ft) high and building a spatter cone that is about 20 m (65 ft) high, 95 m (310 ft) long, and 60 m (200 ft) wide. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D.
A close-up photo taken just before dawn of the lava fountains in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, on December 30, 2024. These lava fountains are consistently reaching 30 m (100 ft) high and building a spatter cone that is about 20 m (65 ft) high, 95 m (310 ft) long, and 60 m (200 ft) wide. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D.
Photo of the lava flows in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. These lava flows are reaching about 2,300 ft (or 700 m) from their source at the lava fountains and covering the pre-existing topography. The flows currently cover about a quarter of the western part of the crater floor. Photo by U.S.
Photo of the lava flows in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. These lava flows are reaching about 2,300 ft (or 700 m) from their source at the lava fountains and covering the pre-existing topography. The flows currently cover about a quarter of the western part of the crater floor. Photo by U.S.
Photo of the lava fountains and flows within the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains have started to build scoria cones around themselves with the fountains consistently reaching to 30 m (100 ft) high. These fountains are feeding lava flows that have covered the western quarter of the crater floor.
Photo of the lava fountains and flows within the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains have started to build scoria cones around themselves with the fountains consistently reaching to 30 m (100 ft) high. These fountains are feeding lava flows that have covered the western quarter of the crater floor.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses a laser rangefinder to collect fountain height measurements from the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Fountain heights reached approximately 30–35 m (100–115 ft) on the morning of December 30, 2024.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses a laser rangefinder to collect fountain height measurements from the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Fountain heights reached approximately 30–35 m (100–115 ft) on the morning of December 30, 2024.
Eruptive activity at the summit of Kīlauea, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, has been episodic since an eruption began on December 23, 2024.
Kīlauea is in a unique phase of activity in Halemaʻumaʻu, with episodes of lava fountaining erupting from two vents (north and south) since the eruption began the night of December 23, 2024.
These spectacular lava fountains have been easily visible from many of the publicly accessible overlooks within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Even so, hazards persist during volcanic activity for those visiting to enjoy the sights. Shifting winds blow around elevated concentrations of volcanic gases, particularly strong-smelling sulfur dioxide (SO2), and tephra (including Pele’s hair that are mostly comprised of volcanic glass). The gases and small glassy particles can irritate respiratory systems, and Pele’s hair can form splinters under the skin.
What characterizes an episode?
During the ongoing eruption, tiltmeters have shown inflationary tilt prior to a lava fountaining episode, as pressure builds beneath the surface, and a switch to deflationary tilt when a lava fountain episode begins, indicative of the pressure within the magma chambers being released. The switch to deflationary tilt generally defines an episode start, along with an increase in fountaining vigor.
The inflationary and deflationary ground deformation associated with every lava fountain episode creates a saw-tooth pattern in tilt records since the eruption began.
Electronic tilt at Kīlauea summit - since the eruption started in December 2024
Laser rangefinder Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor elevation at Kīlauea summit - Past Year
All times in the table below are Hawaiian Standard Time (HST). Some data in this table were derived and not measured. All data are preliminary and subject to revision. If you have questions about the data, please contact the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at askHVO@usgs.gov. Note that episodes 17 and earlier may include precursory activity in the duration (rather than just the fountaining activity). Most episode duration and pauses are rounded to the nearest hour or day.
| Episode Number | Start Date/Time (HST) | Pause Date/Time (HST) | Eruptive Episode Duration | Pause Duration Following Episode | Approximate Maximum Fountain Height (meters) | Approximate volume of lava erupted (million cubic meters) | Notes |
| 1 | December 23, 2024 - 2:20 a.m. | December 23, 2024 - 4 p.m. | 14 hours | 16 hours | 158 | 9.3 | Fissures open, eruption focuses on north and south vents |
| 2 | December 24, 2024 - 8 a.m. | December 25, 2024 - 11 a.m. | 27 hours | 21 hours | 95 | 4.7 | Several vents reactivate |
| 3 | December 26, 2024 - 8 a.m. | January 3, 2025 - 8:30 p.m. | 8.5 days | 12 days | 86 | 13.0 | Several vents reactivate, activity focuses at north and south vents |
| 4 | January 15, 2025 - 9 a.m. | January 18, 2025 - 10:10 a.m. | 3 days | 4 days | 95 | 6.5 | North and south vents active |
| 5 | January 22, 2025 - 2:30 p.m. | January 23, 2025 - 4:30 a.m. | 14 hours | 2 days | 41 | 1.0 | North vent active only |
| 6 | January 24, 2025 - 11:28 p.m. | January 25, 2025 - 12:36 p.m. | 13 hours | 2 days | 70 | 1.1 | North vent active only |
| 7 | January 27, 2025 - 6:41 p.m. | January 28, 2025 - 10:41 a.m. | 16 hours | 6 days | 89 | 2.9 | North and south vents active |
| 8 | February 3, 2025 - 9:52 p.m. | February 4, 2025 - 7:23 p.m. | 22 hours | 7 days | 114 | 4.6 | North and south vents active |
| 9 | February 11, 2025 - 10:16 a.m. | February 12, 2025 - 8:43 a.m. | 22 hours | 7 days | 135 | 5.2 | North and south vents active |
| 10 | February 19, 2025 - 8:22 p.m. | February 20, 2025 - 9:18 a.m. | 13 hours | 5 days | 146 | 2.5 | North vent active only |
| 11 | February 25, 2025 - 6:26 p.m. | February 26, 2025 - 7:06 a.m. | 13 hours | 6 days | 157 | 4.0 | North and south vents active |
| 12 | March 4, 2025 - 7:30 a.m. | March 5, 2025 - 10:37 a.m. | 27 hours | 6 days | 176 | 4.4 | North and south vents active |
| 13 | March 11, 2025 - 2:36 a.m. | March 11, 2025 - 3:13 p.m. | 13 hours | 8 days | 215 | 5.5 | North and south vents active |
| 14 | March 19, 2025 - 9:26 a.m. | March 20, 2025 - 1:49 p.m. | 28 hours | 5 days | 225 | 2.4 | North and south vents active |
| 15 | March 25, 2025 - 12:04 p.m. | March 26, 2025 - 7:10 p.m. | 31 hours | 5 days | 322 | 3.6 | North and south vents active |
| 16 | March 31, 2025 - 10:57 p.m. | April 2, 2025 - 12:04 p.m. | 37 hours | 5 days | 326 | 6.0 | North and south vents active, south vent dominant |
| 17 | April 7, 2025 - 10:15 p.m. | April 9, 2025 - 9:45 a.m. | 35.5 hours | 13 days | 73 | 3.9 | North and south vents active |
| 18 | April 22, 2025 - 3:30 a.m. | April 22, 2025 - 1:28 p.m. | 10 hours | 9 days | 266 | 5.2 | Precursory low-level activity began on April 16, 2025 - 10:01 p.m.; north and south vents active, south vent dominant |
| 19 | May 1, 2025 - 9:28 p.m. | May 2, 2025 - 5:20 a.m. | 8 hours | 5 days | 126 | 2.8 | Precursory low-level activity began on May 1, 2025 - 11:49 a.m.; north vent active only |
| 20 | May 6, 2025 - 5:28 p.m. | May 6, 2025 - 9:28 p.m. | 4 hours | 5 days | 153 | 2.4 | Precursory low-level activity began on May 5, 2025 - 10:48 a.m.; north and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 21 | May 11, 2025 - 12:45 p.m. | May 11, 2025 - 8:36 p.m. | 8 hours | 4 days | 217 | 3.1 | North vent primarily active |
| 22 | May 16, 2025 - 5:13 a.m. | May 16, 2025 - 3:29 p.m. | 10 hours | 9 days | 276 | 3.6 | North vent active only |
| 23 | May 25, 2025 - 4:15 p.m. | May 25, 2025 - 10:25 p.m. | 6 hours | 10 days | 345 | 4.6 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 24 | June 4, 2025 - 8:55 p.m. | June 5, 2025 - 4:28 a.m. | 7.5 hours | 6 days | 364 | 5.0 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 25 | June 11, 2025 - 11:57 a.m. | June 11, 2025 - 8:08 p.m. | 8 hours | 8 days | 350 | 5.3 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 26 | June 20, 2025 - 1:40 a.m. | June 20, 2025 - 10:25 a.m. | 9 hours | 9 days | 371 | 6.6 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 27 | June 29, 2025 - 9:05 a.m. | June 29, 2025 - 7:54 p.m. | 11 hours | 8 days | 332 | 5.9 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 28 | July 9, 2025 - 4:10 a.m. | July 9 - 1:20 p.m. | 9 hours | 11 days | 321 | 5.2 | Only north vent active |
| 29 | July 20, 2025 - 5:15 a.m. | July 20 - 6:35 p.m. | 13 hours | 16 days | 63 | 6.7 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant |
| 30 | August 6, 2025 - 1:20 a.m. | August 6, 2025 - 12:55 p.m. | 12 hours | 16 days | 52 | 7.9 | North and south vents active, north vent dominant; new vent in southwest wall |
| 31 | August 22, 2025 - 2:04 p.m. | August 23, 2025 - 2:52 a.m. | 13 hours | 10 days | 88 | 7.6 | North and south vents active; north vent dominant and inclined. Intermediate vents also active |
| 32 | September 2, 2025 - 6:35 a.m. | September 2, 2025 - 8:01 p.m. | 12 hours | 16 days | 101 | 9.0 | North, south, and intermediate vents active; north vent inclined |
| 33 | September 19, 2025 - 3:11 a.m. | September 19, 2025 - 12:08 p.m. | 9 hours | 12 days | 249 | 5.7 | North and south vents active; north vent inclined |
| 34 | October 1, 2025 - 12:53 a.m. | October 1, 2025 - 7:03 a.m. | 6 hours | 17 days | 383 | 9.0 | North and south vents active; north vent inclined |
| 35 | October 17, 2025 - 8:05 p.m. | October 18, 2025 - 3:32 a.m. | 7 hours | 22 days | 479 | 10.2 | North and south vents active; north vent inclined |
| 36 | November 9, 2025 - 11:15 a.m. | November 9, 2025 - 4:16 p.m. | 5 hours | 16 days | 386 | 8.1 | North and south vents active, as well as small vent area south of south vent; north vent inclined |
| 37 | November 25, 2025 - 2:30 p.m. | November 25, 2025 - 11:39 p.m. | 9 hours | 10 days | 174 | 6.0 | Fountains active at north vent active only; lava visible in south vent |
| 38 | December 6, 2025 - 8:45 a.m. | December 6, 2025 - 8:52 p.m. | 12 hours | 17 days | 384 | 12.1 | North and south vents active; south vent dominant and inclined fountain |
| 39 | December 23, 2025 - 8:10 p.m. | December 24, 2025 - 2:13 a.m. | 6 hours | 19 days | 407 | 9.3 | North and south vents active |
| 40 | January 12, 2026 - 8:22 a.m. | January 12, 2026 - 6:04 p.m. | 10 hours | 12 days | 250 | 5.5 | North and south vents active; north vent dominant |
| 41 | January 24, 2026 - 11:10 a.m. | January 24, 2026 - 7:29 p.m. | 8 hours | 22 days | 450 | 10.6 | North and south vents active |
| 42 | February 15, 2026 - 1:50 p.m. | February 15, 2026 - 11:38 p.m. | 10 hours | TBD | 400 (may update) | 11.6 | North and south vents active, small intermediate fountain |
Lava fountains during eruptive episodes have reached up to 1570 feet (479 meters) above the vents. Material from the lava fountains, called tephra, is deposited near the vents and finer particles can be transported downwind.
Tephra is a word for any volcanic material that is erupted and travels through the air before landing on the ground. Tephra includes very small particles, such as volcanic ash, as well as light and frothy rocks full of holes called reticulite, more robust rocks like scoria, larger pieces called bombs, and ever-present strands of volcanic glass known as Pele’s Hair.
Most of the tephra has been deposited southwest of the active vents, in a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, A mound of tephra over 150 feet (45 meters) high has grown on the crater rim, and a blanket of tephra extends over a mile (2 km) to the southwest. Occasionally, tephra can fall on populated areas nearby or downwind.
Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to Pele's hair and other glassy volcanic fragments, which can cause skin and eye irritation and can also contaminate catchment water supplies. More information about how Pele's hair, its hazards, and what to do is available here. A recently updated Frequently Asked Questions document that includes information about potential health effects of Pele's hair is available here: https://vog.ivhhn.org/sites/default/files/PelesHair_FAQs_v2.pdf
Lava flows have been confined to the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera). This area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is closed to the public.
Large amounts of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)—are released during lava fountaining episodes at the summit of the Kīlauea. Episodes in the ongoing eruption have produced emission rates up to 75,000 tonnes per day of SO2. It’s likely that sulfur dioxide emission rates have been even higher during some eruptive episodes, though measurements have not been possible. When the lava fountains are not active, SO2 emission rates are decreased and in the range of 1,200 to 1,500 tonnes per day.
The plume of volcanic gas and fine tephra particles rising from the vents has reached more than 20,000 feet (6,000 m) above ground level and is transported by the wind. SO2 reacts in the atmosphere with oxygen, sunlight, moisture, and other gases and particles, and within hours to days, converts to fine particles. The particles scatter sunlight and cause the visible haze that is observed downwind of Kīlauea, known as vog (volcanic smog). Vog creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants, and affects livestock operations.
Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
In Hawaii, trade winds refer to the predominant condition of winds that flow from the northeast to the southwest. Where rising warm air from the Earthʻs surface meets the trade winds, an inversion layer exists between 5,000-10,000 feet (1,500-3,000 m) elevation. The inversion inhibits air below from rising above the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and causes air to flow around the mountains.
Eruptive plumes at the summit of Kīlauea can rise vertically and be sheared to the southwest where they encounter the trade wind inversion. During trade wind conditions, most volcanic gas and tephra is transported to the southwest. Larger tephra particles fall on the ground within 1-3 miles (1-5 kilometers) of the eruptive vent(s), with the highest concentrations immediately downwind of the vent(s) in the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Light particles, including Pele's hair, can be transported greater distances, 10 miles (15 kilometers) from the vent downwind.
During less common Kona wind conditions, material from Kīlauea summit eruptive plumes may be transported north/west. Slack wind conditions allow eruptive plumes at the summit of Kīlauea to rise buoyantly and billow outwards.
The subtropical jet stream can be at elevations above 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and consist of generally faster winds travelling from west/northwest to east/southeast. The volcanic plumes during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption have not encountered the subtropical jet stream.
Several lava fountaining episodes have resulted in tephra fall on visitor areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Highway 11 north of the vents, and neighboring communities. Where tephra falls is dependent on the eruptive episode (how high the lava fountains reach) and wind conditions (where the wind is blowing and how strongly).
| Episode | Date | Fountain Height above vent level | Wind Conditions | Plume Height above ground level unless otherwise noted | Impacts |
| 4 | January 15 - 18, 2025 | 330 feet/100 meters | No/light | Pele’s Hair fell in HAVO, Volcano Golf Course, Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates. In some areas, the hair tangled into tumble-weed like structures up to 60 cm (about two feet) long. | |
| 15 | March 26, 2024 | 1070 feet/325 meters | No/light | Tephrafall on Uēkahuna overlook in HAVO (cm-sized); Pele’s Hair fell on Volcano Golf Course and neighboring communities; HVO’s KWcam, F1cam, laser rangefinder power system damaged | |
| 16 | March 31 – April 2, 2025 | 1070 feet/325 meters | No/light | 10,000 feet/3000 meters | Tephra up to about an inch (a couple cm) fell on Highway 11 between mile markers 32 and 33; minor Pele’s Hair fell on Volcano Golf Course; minor brushfire in area northwest of vents on crater rim in closed area of HAVO |
| 23 | May 25, 2025 | 1150 feet/350 meters | Trades (from NE) | at least 5,000 feet/1500 meters | Peleʻs Hair reported in Pāhala |
| 28 | July 9, 2025 | 1050 feet/320 meters | Trades (from NE) | 15,000 feet/4500 meters | Peleʻs Hair reported in Captain Cook and Miloliʻi and on Highway 11 |
| 31 | August 22-23, 2025 | 328 feet/100 meters | Trades (from NE) | 10,000 feet/3000 meters | Pele's Hair deposition was reported in Pāhala |
| 34 | October 1, 2025 | 1230 feet/375 meters | Trades (from NE) | More than 15,000 feet/4500 meters | Fine particles (no larger strands) reported in Ocean View |
| 35 | October 17-18, 2025 | 1480 feet/450 meters | Northerly | More than 20,000 feet/6000 meters | Fist-sized clasts along Hwy 11 between Volcano and Pāhala (nothing reported in Pāhala). Fine ash particles reported in Ocean View. Damage to monitoring solar panels and heat damage to cameras |
| 36 | November 9, 2025 | 1230 feet/375 meters | Trades (from NE) | 10,000 feet/3000 meters | Ash fall reported in Waiʻōhinu; Pele's hair in Pāhala |
| 38 | December 6, 2025 | 1259 feet/384 meters | Trades (from NE) | More than 20,000 feet/6000 meters | Ash fall, Pele's Hair, and limu-o-Pele like material in Pāhala. Ashfall in Waiohinu/Nāʻālehu. Leser amounts of ash fall in Ocean View. |
| 41 | January 24, 2026 | 1475 feet/450 meters | Weak surface level, east/northeasterly winds at high levels | More than 20,000 feet/6000 meters | Tephra fallout densest within 5 miles (8 kilometers) east-northeast of the vents, covering parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and neighboring communities (Volcano Village, Mauna Loa estates, Ohia Estates). Farther away, parts of the Volcano Golf Course Community, Ohia Estates, Royal Hawaiian Estates, and Fern Forest received tephra fall ranging from Pele’s hair and ash to pieces of reticulite that were up to several inches (64 mm) in diameter. Communities even farther away, in the District of Puna and parts of South Hilo, saw light fall or a dusting of fine-grained ash and Pele’s hair, extending from Pepeekeo to Kalapana. |
| 42 | February 15, 2026 | 1310 feet (400 meters) | Trades (from NE) at ground level, east/northeasterly winds at high levels | 35,000 feet/10,670 meters above sea level (NWS) | Ash reported in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Ocean View. Pele's hair in Pāhala. |
Additional Information
Recent eruptions have taken place within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Please visit the Park website to learn more about their operations.
This video, taken from the west rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), in the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, shows the new eruption that started this morning at 2:20 a.m. HST. At approximately 4:30 a.m. HST, the lava fountains were reaching up to 80 meters (260 feet) and by 5:30 a.m., lava covered an area of approximately 400 acres on the caldera floor. USGS video by D. Downs.
This panorama, stitched from eight photos taken at different angles, shows the eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater and its volcanic gas plume in the dawn light on December 31, 2024. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
This panorama, stitched from eight photos taken at different angles, shows the eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater and its volcanic gas plume in the dawn light on December 31, 2024. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At dawn on December 31, 2024 the eruption in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) continued. The plume of volcanic gas seen here was blown to the southwest of Kaluapele across the closed Crater Rim Drive in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At dawn on December 31, 2024 the eruption in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) continued. The plume of volcanic gas seen here was blown to the southwest of Kaluapele across the closed Crater Rim Drive in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
Shortly after sunrise on December 31, 2024, the eruption at Kīlauea's summit continued with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains continuously feeding flows across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
Shortly after sunrise on December 31, 2024, the eruption at Kīlauea's summit continued with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains continuously feeding flows across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At 6:30 a.m. on December 31, 2024, the eruption continued in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains from two vents. A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crew observed continuous fountaining that fed an expanding lava fan across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
At 6:30 a.m. on December 31, 2024, the eruption continued in Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) with 50–80 foot (15–25 meter) lava fountains from two vents. A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crew observed continuous fountaining that fed an expanding lava fan across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
Zoom view of the lava flow field from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024. The eruption continues to feed lava throughout Halemaʻumaʻu crater, where lava channels and outbreak lobes like these are forming. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
Zoom view of the lava flow field from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024. The eruption continues to feed lava throughout Halemaʻumaʻu crater, where lava channels and outbreak lobes like these are forming. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
Here, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes images and measurements of lava fountain heights during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024; the eruption began on December 23 and has continued in episodic pulses. Geologists conduct shifts throughout the week to monitor the eruption and note any changes.
Here, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes images and measurements of lava fountain heights during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024; the eruption began on December 23 and has continued in episodic pulses. Geologists conduct shifts throughout the week to monitor the eruption and note any changes.
This annotated image shows the lava flows and tephra deposits of the southwest portion of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera). The photo was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, with a view to the east.
This annotated image shows the lava flows and tephra deposits of the southwest portion of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera). The photo was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, with a view to the east.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater.
During a helicopter overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists were provided a low-level view of the eruptive vents in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
During a helicopter overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists were provided a low-level view of the eruptive vents in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This thermal map shows eruptive activity on December 30, 2024, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava fountaining and flows were active in the southwest portion of the caldera. Cooler colors (purple, black) show lower temperatures while hotter colors (orange, yellow) show higher temperatures.
This thermal map shows eruptive activity on December 30, 2024, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava fountaining and flows were active in the southwest portion of the caldera. Cooler colors (purple, black) show lower temperatures while hotter colors (orange, yellow) show higher temperatures.
This compilation shows thermal maps of Kīlauea summit eruption from December 23-30, 2024. Initially high eruption vigor resulted in lava flows covering much of the southwest portion of the caldera with active lava flows on December 23, 2024.
This compilation shows thermal maps of Kīlauea summit eruption from December 23-30, 2024. Initially high eruption vigor resulted in lava flows covering much of the southwest portion of the caldera with active lava flows on December 23, 2024.
An Aerial view of two eruptive cones in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit on the morning of December 30, 2024. The fissure fountains reached heights of approximately 30 meters (100 ft) and lava flows continue to cover a portion of the crater floor. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
An Aerial view of two eruptive cones in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit on the morning of December 30, 2024. The fissure fountains reached heights of approximately 30 meters (100 ft) and lava flows continue to cover a portion of the crater floor. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
This oblique aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking view of the active fountains of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This oblique aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking view of the active fountains of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a south-looking telephoto overhead view of the lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a south-looking telephoto overhead view of the lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. The lava fountains are visible in the center of the image, in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u.
This aerial photo was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on the morning of Monday, December 30, 2024, providing a southwest-looking overview of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. The lava fountains are visible in the center of the image, in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains are reaching up to 30 m (100 ft) high and feeding the incandescent lava in the foreground. The current activity is concentrated in the western quarter of the crater floor. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D. Downs.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains are reaching up to 30 m (100 ft) high and feeding the incandescent lava in the foreground. The current activity is concentrated in the western quarter of the crater floor. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D. Downs.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active and inactive parts of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The dark black lava in the foreground covered most of the crater floor on the first day of the eruption, starting around 2:20 a.m. on December 23, 2024.
Aerial view looking to the southwest of the active and inactive parts of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The dark black lava in the foreground covered most of the crater floor on the first day of the eruption, starting around 2:20 a.m. on December 23, 2024.
A close-up photo taken just before dawn of the lava fountains in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, on December 30, 2024. These lava fountains are consistently reaching 30 m (100 ft) high and building a spatter cone that is about 20 m (65 ft) high, 95 m (310 ft) long, and 60 m (200 ft) wide. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D.
A close-up photo taken just before dawn of the lava fountains in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, on December 30, 2024. These lava fountains are consistently reaching 30 m (100 ft) high and building a spatter cone that is about 20 m (65 ft) high, 95 m (310 ft) long, and 60 m (200 ft) wide. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey geologist D.
Photo of the lava flows in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. These lava flows are reaching about 2,300 ft (or 700 m) from their source at the lava fountains and covering the pre-existing topography. The flows currently cover about a quarter of the western part of the crater floor. Photo by U.S.
Photo of the lava flows in the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. These lava flows are reaching about 2,300 ft (or 700 m) from their source at the lava fountains and covering the pre-existing topography. The flows currently cover about a quarter of the western part of the crater floor. Photo by U.S.
Photo of the lava fountains and flows within the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains have started to build scoria cones around themselves with the fountains consistently reaching to 30 m (100 ft) high. These fountains are feeding lava flows that have covered the western quarter of the crater floor.
Photo of the lava fountains and flows within the western part of Halema‘uma‘u crater just before dawn on December 30, 2024. The lava fountains have started to build scoria cones around themselves with the fountains consistently reaching to 30 m (100 ft) high. These fountains are feeding lava flows that have covered the western quarter of the crater floor.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses a laser rangefinder to collect fountain height measurements from the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Fountain heights reached approximately 30–35 m (100–115 ft) on the morning of December 30, 2024.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses a laser rangefinder to collect fountain height measurements from the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Fountain heights reached approximately 30–35 m (100–115 ft) on the morning of December 30, 2024.
