Volcano Updates

Overview:

The Halema'uma'u eruption of Kīlauea is currently paused after episode 56 fountaining ended on November 5. The summit has been reinflating since the end of the fountaining episode, and the next lava fountaining episode is likely more than a week away.

Summit Observations:

Summit webcams recorded moderate glow at both the north and southwest vents overnight.  

This morning, seismic tremor remains elevated. One small earthquake was located at the summit in the past day.

The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWD) has recorded continued summit inflation following the end of episode 56 lava fountaining. This morning UWD has recovered a total of 8.4 microradians of inflationary tilt since the end of episode 56.

During the eruptive pauses between fountaining episodes, the sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rate from the summit is typically several thousand tonnes per day. Trade winds this morning are carrying volcanic gases southwest toward Kaʻū.

Rift Zone Observations:

Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain low in the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. SO₂ emissions from the East Rift Zone remain below the detection limit. 

Analysis:

Following the end of episode 56 on November 5, 2026, summit tiltmeters recorded a typical post-fountaining recovery.  The steady inflationary trend continues this morning. Based on previous episodes and the ongoing tilt trend, the next lava fountaining is likely more than a week away. 

Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, from two primary vents (north and south) within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit. Lava fountaining episodes generally last less than 12 hours and are separated by pauses of two or more weeks. 

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and remains in contact with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency regarding eruptive hazards. 

Summary of episode 56:

• Lava fountaining occurred between 12:10 p.m. and 6:01 p.m. on November 5, 2026. 
• Maximum fountain heights were about 660 feet (200 meters). Only the north vent produced fountaining.
• Tephra fallout was primarily towards the southwest, in closed areas of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, with trace amounts on Highway 11.
• The eruptive plume rose as high as 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) above sea level.
• Tiltmeter data indicate approximately 8 million cubic yards (6 million cubic meters) of lava were erupted, with an average eruption rate of 260 cubic yards (200 cubic meters) per second.
• The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWD) recorded a total of 17 microradians of deflationary tilt.

Hazards:

Eruptive activity since December 2024 has been occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. However, recent intrusions highlight that the location of eruptive activity could change. Intrusions can also be hazardous with potential to cause earthquakes, ground cracks, and small landslides. The primary hazards at Kīlauea due to eruptive activity and/or intrusions are:

• Volcanic Gas: High levels of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)—are continually released during an eruption. Emissions can remain locally hazardous in the areas immediately downwind of the vents, even when the vents are not actively erupting. SO₂ reacts in the atmosphere to create vog (volcanic air pollution) downwind. SO₂ and vog may cause respiratory and other problems at high concentrations. Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
• Tephra: Small glassy volcanic fragments—volcanic ash, pumice, scoria, Pele’s hair and reticulite—are created by the lava fountains. A combination of fountaining dynamics and wind conditions determines where tephra fall may occur for any given eruption episode. Larger particles fall near the vents while light particles may be wafted greater distances. These particles may be remobilized during windy conditions following recent eruptive episodes. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to these fragments, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. More information and guidance on tephra fall hazards is available at https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/resource-and-guidance-for-volcanic-tephra-fall/ and https://vog.ivhhn.org/sites/default/files/PelesHair_FAQs_v2.pdf 
• Lava flows: Hawaiian lava flows generally advance slowly downslope but destroy everything in their paths. Lava flows that erupt within Halemaʻumaʻu remain confined to the crater, including those during the eruption that started in December 2024. However, intrusive activity could result in lava flows outside of Halemaʻumaʻu. Hazards associated with active or recent lava flows include hot and glassy (sharp) surfaces that can cause serious burns, abrasions, and lacerations upon contact with unprotected or exposed skin; uneven and rough terrain can lead to falls and other injuries; hot temperatures that can cause heat exhaustion or dehydration, or in heavy rain can produce steamy ground-fog that can be acidic, severely limiting visibility and sometimes causing difficulty breathing.
• Earthquakes and ground cracks: Shallow magma movement and eruptions can produce minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features. These ground cracks can continue to widen and offset as magma migration continues, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided. Other significant hazards exist around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes.

Additionally, close to the eruptive vents, the tephra material on the crater rim is prone to cracking, slumping, and small landslides that sometimes expose hot and molten material within. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of Kīlauea's caldera rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since early 2008.