Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park preps for next lava fountaining episode at Kīlauea

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is preparing for the next lava fountaining episode of Kīlauea volcano, increased visitation and potential for winds shifting to a southerly flow.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a special weather statement April 3 reporting that forecasts indicate a shift from northeasterly trade winds to southerly winds by the middle of this week.

If Kīlauea’s Episode 44 of lava fountaining happens during a period of southerly winds, it could cause volcanic gas, or vog, and tephra to blanket the summit similar to March 10 during Episode 43 of the ongoing episodic summit eruption that started Dec. 23, 2024.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is predicting Episode 44 lava fountains to begin between Monday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 14.

Vog is hazardous to everyone, and high levels can cause respiratory distress and illness, especially for sensitive people.

Tephra — small glassy volcanic fragments including ash, pumice, Pele’s hair and reticulite — is an irritant and increases driving hazards.

Extreme fallout during Episode 43 because of southerly winds and high lava fountains prompted park and Highway 11 closures.

Visitation and traffic soar during eruptions, and the park also anticipates participants of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival to visit Kīlauea this week.

Everyone is urged to make safety their highest priority and take the following precautions:

• Monitor park air quality. If vog levels are unhealthy or tephra is falling, leave the area.
• Protect yourself from tephra. Eye protection, a hat, long sleeves, long pants and gloves are recommended. A dust mask will protect you from inhaling tephra but not vog.
• Be aware the park could temporarily close impacted areas until it is safe to reopen if hazardous conditions persist.

Park managers are monitoring conditions and working closely with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense and National Weather Service.

The south vent spattered and slowly oozed lava onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater on April 3, marking the start of the precursory eruption activity.

Visit the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park website for more information about eruption viewing, safety tips and links to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory livestream summit cameras.