UPDATE 2: National Weather Service advises public about possible tephra fall downwind of Kīlauea summit

Update at 5:46 p.m. Aug. 12, 2026: National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu report in a special weather statement that varying levels of ash, Pele’s hair and other lightweight tephra could fall downwind of the Kīlauea volcano summit during Episode 53 of lava fountaining of the ongoing episodic eruption.

Smaller particles can travel farther from the eruption site and can affect communities at greater distances.

Low level winds will carry any tephra to the west or southwest of the summit. If the eruption is strong enough to loft tephra above the trade wind inversion, tephra could be carried to the north or northeast.

Forecasters advise those who live downwind of the summit or plan to visit the summit area within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to stay informed about current volcanic activity and weather conditions.

If necessary, be prepared to take precautions such as disconnecting water catchment systems. Follow all guidance from National Park Service and Hawaiʻi County. Be aware that road or park closures also could occur.

Furthermore, avoid excessive exposure to ash, which is an eye and respiratory irritant. Those with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure.

Update at 4:15 p.m. Aug. 12: Episode 53 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 3:45 p.m. this afternoon.

Fountain activity transitioned gradually from precursory lava flows from the north vent. A series of short-lived lava overflows began at 11:20 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:23 p.m., with each lasting 1 to 4 minutes.

A fifth sluggish flow began around 1 p.m. and became sustained, gradually growing for about 45 minutes.  At 1:45 p.m., there was a dramatic increase in output correlated with a switch to deflationary tilt.

A double dome fountain formed and began feeding a broad overflow that rapidly extended more than 2000 feet from the vent. Large overflows from the south vent began at 3:26 p.m. and 3:38 p.m. and lasted approximately 5 to 6 minute each. A small flow was also visible from the collapse crater behind the south vent beginning at 3:31 p.m. 

Episode 53 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began from the north vent at 3:45 p.m. on August 12. Fountaining is currently 80 to 100 feet high and is expected to reach a maximum height in 1 to 2 hours. 

Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate that winds are blowing from the northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the southwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu.

Winds above the inversion layer are more easterly and expected to carry tephra westward, if the fountains are high enough. The volcanic gas plume is currently 6,000 feet above ground level.

Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles with lighter ash suspended for large distances. The public is asked to report tephra fall online to spread community awareness.

All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos can be found on the U.S. Geological Survey Youtube page. KPcam and MKcam provide views of the plume height for aviation purposes

Additional short updates as the episode progresses will be posted on the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webpage.

Original story at 12:45 p.m. Aug. 12: Precursory low-level eruptive activity at Kīlauea within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has begun ahead of its 53rd eruptive episode.

The activity began at around 11:20 a.m. with the onset of intermittent lava dome fountaining and overflows from the north vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. A second overflow began at 11:35 a.m. and lasted roughly 4 minutes.

Summit inflation is continuing. As a result, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is raising the Alert Level for Kīlauea from advisory to watch and the Aviation Color Code from yellow to orange.

This low-level precursory activity can continue for hours to days before the lava fountaining episode begins. The forecast for episode 53 of lava fountaining to start is between today and Aug. 13.

Lava fountaining episodes began on Dec. 23, 2024. Most have continued for a day or less.

The last episode occurred on July 29. It ended abruptly after 7.5 hours of continuous fountaining.