COURTESY USGS. View of the eruption from the northwest rim of the crater.
Kilauea’s “Episode 27” eruption began at 9:05 a.m. today, with lava fountains shooting from the north vent.
The fountains have already reached heights of around 500 feet, spewing several lava streams into the Halemaumau crater floor. Fountain heights were projected to rise during the next hour or so.
According to National Weather Service forecasters, winds are blowing from northeast to east, while field measurements reveal that real wind conditions are more changeable. “Consequently, at this time it is uncertain what direction volcanic gas emissions and tephra from the lava fountain may be distributed around Halema Ê»uma Ê»u,” researchers said.
Small, occasional dome fountains erupted from the north vent about 7:27 a.m. today, just before Episode 27 began. The fountains were more active over the next hour and a half, reaching a height of 9:05 a.m. today.
Since December 23, 2024, the majority of lava fountain episodes have lasted a day or less, with at least several days between eruptions.
The volcano warning level remains at watch, while the aviation color code remains at orange. All present work is limited to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Sharon Trumble 
