Episode 56 lava fountaining underway at summit of Kīlauea volcano on Big Island
Geyser heights reached about 660 feet by shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, with National Weather Service reporting low-level trade winds will push ash toward the west; any ash fallout will likely occur over Kaʻū and Highway 11, west of Volcano and possibly as far southwest as Pāhala.
Updated at 2:52 p.m. Nov. 5, 2026, with special weather statement from National Weather Service and lava fountain height update from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Episode 56 of the ongoing episodic eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island is underway.
Lava fountaining began at 12:10 p.m. Thursday. Fountain heights were relatively low, at about 100 feet, at the beginning of the episode. They had reached about 660 feet by shortly after 2 p.m.
Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate winds are blowing from the northeast, which suggesting volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material could be distributed southwest of Halemaʻumaʻu.
All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles of the active vents, lighter ash and Pele’s hair also can stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a special weather statement Thursday afternoon advising light ashfall is likely near and just west of the volcano.
“Webcams and radar data indicate that occasional small bursts of volcanic ash continue to emanate from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater,” said the statement. “Low-level trade winds will push ash toward the west, and any ash fallout will likely occur over [Kaʻū] and Highway 11, west of the town of Volcano and possibly as far southwest as Pāhala.”
Light ashfall will be possible as long as the eruption continues.
The public is advised to avoid excessive exposure to ash, which is an eye and respiratory irritant. People with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure.
Support science and community awareness by reporting tephra fall.
If you can’t make it to see Episode 56 fountains in-person, remember there are the 3 Kīlauea summit livestreams available.
Additional short updates as the episode progresses will be posted here.
Timeline of lava fountaining episodes since the episodic summit eruption began Dec. 23, 2024, can be found online.
Most lava fountaining episodes continued for a day or less.
