Fountaining episode at Kīlauea predicted to start this week

The next fountaining episode at Kīlauea could happen at any moment, with a forecast window of later today through May 14, according to the experts with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The eruption at the summit within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is currently paused. The 46th fountaining episode occurred on May 5 and lasted just more than 9 hours.

Consistent degassing continues from both north and south vents, according to a report this morning from the Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory. Overnight, the south vent had a strong, consistent glow with frequent bursts of large flames, and the north vent had a weaker, but consistent glow with several small spatter events.

The forecast window for episode 47, based on tilt data, suggests that lava fountaining will occur again sometime between Tuesday, May 12, and Thursday, May 14, with later today or tomorrow most likely. This window may be adjusted based on continuing observations.

No significant activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since Dec. 23, 2024, from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u.

Lava fountaining episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be longer than three weeks.