Ongoing — The Kīlauea volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi continues to exhibit volcanic activity as scientists monitor increased lava flows and dome fountaining inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with authorities confirming an extended forecast window for a new eruptive episode.

The United States Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported sustained overflow from the north vent and intermittent pulses from the south vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Overnight observations indicated lava near-continuous overflows from the north vent throughout the previous night, while the south vent contributed frequent dome fountains and single overflow events, extending active lava flows across the crater floor. Official monitoring instruments detected variations in summit ground deformation consistent with ongoing magma movement beneath the volcano’s summit region.

Since the end of the previous eruptive episode, scientists have recorded fluctuations in summit tilt, indicating both inflationary and deflationary signals. These measurements, alongside volcanic tremor and lava spattering, suggest that a transition into a new high-fountaining phase — designated Episode 40 — remains possible but had not yet commenced at the latest report. The HVO maintained the volcano’s alert status at “Watch” and the aviation color code at “Orange” due to the potential for renewed eruptive activity.

Officials confirmed that lava continues to flow from Halemaʻumaʻu crater’s vents, feeding lava across the crater floor. Volcanic gas emissions — including sulfur dioxide — persisted at elevated levels typical during periods of active effusion. Incident command agencies, including Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency, remain engaged in monitoring and public hazard communication efforts.

The forecast window for the onset of a sustained eruptive episode has been officially extended through mid-January, reflecting the prolonged precursory activity observed by volcanic scientists. Short messages and observatory updates from HVO are being issued to track the evolution of vent activity, with alerts to be raised should episode 40 begin with sustained magma fountains.

At this stage, scientists continue to observe Kīlauea’s summit region closely, noting that future eruptive intensity and precise timing of events remain under continued review. The volcano has been erupting intermittently from Halemaʻumaʻu since December 23, 2024, and ongoing lava outflows and dome fountain behavior demonstrate the region’s active eruptive state.

Sources

• USGS Volcano Notice – Kīlauea Update • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Flight and Eruption Notice › USGS Volcano Notice on Kīlauea Activity and Forecast Window Extension
• Spectrum Local News – Kīlauea Episode Forecast • Kīlauea’s 40th Eruptive Episode Forecast and Monitoring Data