Hawai'i Volcano Blog
Volcano Watch: Six Months of Halemaʻumaʻu Lava Fountains
There is much to appreciate about the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption as it approaches its 6-month anniversary on June 23. The stunning episodic lava fountains and lava flows erupting within Halemaʻumaʻu crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park have provided island residents and visitors with safe and accessible viewing opportunities. However, volcanic hazards are always present.
Visitor from Boston rescued after falling off steep cliff to get better view of erupting Kīlauea
The rescue team from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park were managing eruption traffic and able to respond quickly, rappelling down the heavily vegetated cliff face to hoist the man to safety.
Kīlauea is erupting again, with 330-feet high lava fountains for episode No. 25
All current and recent eruption activity of Kīlauea is within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Lava flowing into crater of Kīlauea; episode No. 25 of ongoing eruption about to begin soon
Episode No. 25 of the ongoing eruption of the Big Island volcano that began in late December is forecast to begin Wednesday or Thursday, but there is a chance of high fountaining later today.
Volcano Watch: What fans the flames observed at volcanic vents?
Recently, something has been observed “dancing” above the active eruptive vents inside Halemaʻumaʻu…Hydrogen flames!
Get ready for another lava show: Kīlauea Episode 24 expected to begin today or tomorrow
Vigorous degassing of sulfur dioxide, nighttime glow and intermittent lava spattering in the north vent indicate that magma is close to the surface of Kīlauea.
Chemical substance detected in sample at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park water system
The chemical detected is 1-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzene (PCBTF) within the Volcano Catchment Chlorinator, which is owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior. PCBTF is an industrial solvent that is currently not regulated in drinking water, meaning there is no established federal or state maximum contaminant level or state environmental action level.
Volcano Watch: Halemaʻumaʻu eruption reaches new heights as HVO updates Volcano Alert Notifications
Record-setting lava fountain and plume heights were reached during Episode 23 of the Kīlauea summit caldera eruption. Given increasing airborne hazards associated with each new eruptive episode, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is changing its episode notification types.
Return to Uēkahuna’s stunningly powerful panoramic views of Kīlauea volcano caldera
Legendary observation deck at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park steeped in history and centuries of Hawaiian tradition reopen and ready to welcome back visitors 7 years after it was closed.
Update: Episode 23 of ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ‘one for the history books’
Lava fountains reach more than 1,000 feet, volcanic plume soars at least 5,000 feet before most recent phase of eruptive activity — that teased for several days — abruptly ends after just 6 hours and 10 minutes Sunday night.
Volcano Watch: Inter-episode rumblings at Kīlauea
As enthralling as each eruptive episode is, experts at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory watch just as closely at what’s happening between episodes.
Update: Kīlauea turns in bit of overtime before abruptly clocking out to end Episode 22
Most recent eruptive episode of the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater within Kaluapele, the summit caldera of the Big Island volcano, ended at 3:29 p.m. Friday, 10 hours and 16 minutes after another awesome display of high fountaining began.
Volcano Watch: What lurks beneath; learning from lava ooze outs
Dive beneath the solidified crust on the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor in this week’s edition of “Volcano Watch” to explore the complicated mix of molten material below.
Update: Lava fountains make a short, special appearance for Mother’s Day
Episode 21 of the ongoing episodic eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at Kaluapele, the Big Island volcano’s summit caldera, ended at 8:34 p.m. Sunday, on Mother’s Day 2025.
Volcano Watch: 20 episodes and counting — lava fountains continue in Kaluapele
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory remains steadfast and vigilant as lava fountaining episodes continue at the summit of the Big Island’s Kīlauea volcano, maintaining its monitoring and livestreaming of the volcano to document the eruption’s evolution, inform hazard assessments and apprise the public of ongoing volcanic activity.
Update: Kīlauea’s Episode 20 erupts with lava fountains of 500-plus feet, but lasts less than 5 hours
Latest episode of sustained geisers of molten rock in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the Big Island volcano’s summit was shortest since eruption began Dec. 23, 2024.
Magnitude 3.6 earthquake on Friday strikes 4 miles from Laupāhoehoe on Big Island
The earthquake was at a depth of 19 miles below the sea and had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Update: Episode 19 of ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ends in less than 8 hours
Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and will issue an eruption update tomorrow morning unless there are significant changes before then
State: Vog, sulfur dioxide still potential health hazards even while Kīlauea summit eruption paused
Health officials encourage the public to keep a close eye on Hawaiʻi air quality data as volcanic gas emissions remain elevated. Air quality can change quickly, depending on the amount of gas being released from the Big Island volcano, wind direction and other weather conditions.
Volcano Watch: Tilt, tremor and lava — remembering Mauna Loa’s 2022 eruption onset
Geophysical instruments recorded many major, and even subtle, details the night of the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption onset. In this week’s “Volcano Watch,” explore some of these monitoring data observations that offer clues as to what was happening beneath the surface.