Kīlauea alert level escalates from advisory to watch due to precursory lava overflow

Lava is overflowing the north vent and has raised the alert level for Kīlauea from advisory to watch as of 11:50 p.m. May 4, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Precursory low-level activity for episode 46 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kīlauea began around 1:38 a.m. on May 4, which can continue for hours or days before the lava fountaining episode begins.

Episode 46 of lava fountaining is forecast to start before Thursday, May 7. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will publish an alert when lava fountaining for episode 46 begins.

All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu Crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is possible and is greatest within three miles of the vents. Lighter ash and Pele’s Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents. To report any tephra fall, visit an online report form.

Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos that show eruptive lava fountains are available on the U.S. Geological Survey’s Youtube. Updates and a timeline of eruptive episodes can be found on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website.