Kilauea vents reach 650 feet

The current eruptive episode at Kilauea began at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, marking the 56th instance of lava fountaining since December 23, 2024. Activity at the Halemaʻumaʻu crater has intensified over the past two days, with continuous low-level fountaining starting around 2:30 p.m. on Monday.

North vent fountains initially reached heights of 100 feet. Within two hours of the Thursday start, those fountains expanded to approximately 650 feet. Smaller fountains are also active at the southwest vent. National Weather Service radar data measured the plume height at 18,000 feet above sea level.

Ground-level sensors indicate northeast winds are directing the plume and tephra into the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. All eruptive vents and lava flows remain confined within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Overflows from the north vent began after 11 a.m. on Monday.

Tephra fall is heaviest within three miles of the vents. Lighter ash and Pele's Hair can remain suspended in the air for large distances. USGS officials note that most lava fountaining episodes since late 2024 have lasted less than one day.