Renewed activity on Kīlauea signals another lava show is likely next week

Kīlauea’s summit eruption remains paused, though scientists say signs of renewed activity are building and a new fountaining episode could begin as early as next week.

Overnight, a faint to strong glow was visible from both the south and north vents, accompanied by gas-driven tremor spikes every five to 10 minutes. Summit tiltmeters continue to record inflation, with nearly 14 microradians added since Episode 36 ended on Nov. 9, and sulfur dioxide emissions remain at pause-level rates of 1,200 to 1,500 tonnes per day.

Episode 36, which began late in the morning of Nov. 9 and lasted about five hours, sent lava fountains soaring to 1,200 feet at the south vent and 750 feet at the north vent, producing nearly 11 million cubic yards of lava and covering roughly 80% of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor.

The episode ended with a sharp shift from deflation to inflation at the summit, accompanied by a drop in tremor intensity.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says continued inflation, glow and tremor indicate that Episode 37 is likely, though inflation has slowed over the past day. Current models suggest the next eruption episode could start between Nov. 21 and Nov. 25, but that forecast may change if inflation continues to taper.

The activity remains confined to a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where volcanic gas and airborne fragments pose ongoing hazards. Sulfur dioxide emissions can generate vog that affects communities downwind, and lava-fountaining episodes can loft Pele’s hair and other glassy volcanic debris miles from the vents.

Officials urge residents and visitors to limit exposure to these materials, which can irritate skin, eyes and lungs and contaminate catchment water supplies.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor activity at Kīlauea. For more information:

• Eruption resources, including the most recent map and a timeline of eruption episodes since December 23, 2024: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/eruption-information

• Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos that show eruptive lava fountains are available here: https://www.youtube.com/@usgs/streams.
• Summit eruption webcams: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit-webcams
• Learn more about gas pistons in a Volcano Watch article here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-so-what-earth-or-least-kilauea-a-gas-piston