Hawai'i Volcano Blog

Fountaining episodes typically last less than 12 hours, but ash can remain in the air longer depending on wind and weather conditions.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the temblor struck about 2 miles east-northeast of Pāhala in Kaʻū on the south-southeast side of the island at a depth of just 2 miles; it had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.

With weather forecasts calling for a shift of winds coming from the south, visitors should be prepared for tephra, volcanic gas and potential temporary closures with upcoming Episode 44 of ongoing episodic eruption at Big Island volcano’s summit.

These updates will more clearly distinguish hazards during eruptive pauses and lava fountaining episodes.

Forecasters say if lava fountaining happens, varying levels of ash, Pele’s hair and other lightweight tephra could fall downwind of the summit. Smaller particles can travel farther from the summit and could affect communities at greater distances.

A fountaining eruption at Kīlauea’s caldera is projected between April 6 to April 14, potentially impacting residents and visitors with ash and tephra.

After Episode 44 ends, assuming activity is similar to the first 43 episodes, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will lower alert level and aviation color code for Kīlauea one level lower than the current norm, to Advisory and Yellow, respectively.

Management of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park requires the use of aircraft to maintain park facilities and other operations; dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.

Geochemical analysis of erupted tephra samples during the past decade help scientists understand the temperature of Kīlauea’s shallow magma system under the summit — and things have been “heating up!”

The forecast window for episode 44 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption is between April 3 and 13.

Living in such a dynamic place as Hawaiʻi Island, it’s important to try to be aware and prepared for natural events that affect us; nature will continue to reshape the land in Hawaiʻi, and the recent Episode 43 lava fountaining fallout and kona low are recent reminders about how impactful such natural events can be.

As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that could experience tephra fallout.

Volcanic material as large as 6 inches was reported at Volcano Golf Course on Tuesday (March 10), with the village experiencing significant fallout; falling tephra caused closures of a portion of Highway 11, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, swimming pools and at least one school, emergency shelter opening and new summit webcam getting ‘clobbered.’

Residents can visit the tephra information center to learn how to clean tephra from their homes, protect water catchment tanks and make requests for assistance.

Episode 43 of the Kīlauea eruption caused Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to close, backed up traffic on Highway 11 and produced a volcanic plume that covered the sun, turning it red.

Hawai’i’s movie and television industry is resurging in 2026, with three major productions filming in the Aloha State.

Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources and maintain backcountry facilities.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Big Island will issue its first Volcano Observatory Notice to Aviation in the new format when the next Kīlauea fountaining episode begins — and the aviation community will get that information more quickly and effectively than ever before.

Mauna Loa’s Volcano Alert Level is at Normal and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory expects to see changes such as increased seismicity or gas emissions before any future eruption; keeping a close eye on the volcanoes even during quiet times can teach important lessons that will inform our interpretations and decisions as conditions change.

For the first time in 40 years, large tephra from Kīlauea fell across neighborhoods near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, leaving homeowners with hazardous material on their roofs, and in their gutters and water systems.