Kīlauea Volcano Erupts 40th Time, Sending Lava Skyward

Clear Facts

• Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii has entered its 40th eruptive episode since 2024.
• USGS footage confirms lava fountains exceeding 800 feet from the northern vent.
• Volcanic gases are producing air pollution and tephra deposits in the summit area.

Kīlauea volcano’s 40th eruption episode began early Monday in Hawaii, as verified by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Streams of lava poured from several vents, especially within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater, lighting up the summit through the night hours.

USGS video showed the eruption unfolding just before 8:30 a.m. local time, with intense fountains from the northern vent reaching above 800 feet.

Lava flows quickly expanded across the crater floor, with bursts described as dome fountains continuing since the weekend.

A USGS update noted, “Dome fountains consist of relatively small, bubbling lava bursts that frequently serve as early indicators before the development of much larger fountains capable of propelling lava hundreds of feet skyward.”

Experts are monitoring between 50,000 and 100,000 tons of volcanic gases released daily, which could create volcanic air pollution, or vog, in areas downwind from the summit.

Officials say the gas plume remains mainly contained in the Halemaʻumaʻu area and nearby summit region.

Pele’s hair and small fragments of lava, called tephra, are mainly being deposited on the western and southern sides of the crater.

According to the USGS, “Kīlauea has experienced episodic eruptions beginning Dec. 23, 2024, with individual episodes typically lasting under 12 hours and followed by pauses that can exceed two weeks.”

The most recent episode started shortly after increased signs of volcanic unrest observed over the weekend.

This renewed activity is restricted to a section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, an area that has remained off-limits to the public since late 2007.

Despite being contained, volcanic gases — including water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide — can threaten health in regions directly downwind.

The prior eruptive event ended on Dec. 24, 2025.

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