Kilauea's fiftieth eruption episode forecast to begin today, USGS says
The U.S. Geological Survey says Kilauea's next lava-fountaining episode, its fiftieth since December 2024, is most likely to begin Friday, June 26. Magma is close to the surface, with strong glow and spattering at both summit vents. Officials are warning of volcanic gas and tephra downwind.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is on the verge of its fiftieth fountaining episode since the current eruption began in December 2024. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says the onset is most likely on Friday, June 26, with the window running through Saturday. Each fountaining burst usually lasts under twelve hours, separated by pauses that can stretch beyond three weeks. Summit ground is inflating again, both vents are glowing strongly, and magma is close to the surface, with spattering reported overnight. During the last episode in mid June, lava fountains reached almost 700 feet and flows covered up to half the crater floor. The eruption sits inside a closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so the lava itself stays away from the public. The bigger concern for residents is volcanic gas: sulfur dioxide reacts in the air to form vog, which can cause breathing problems downwind. Officials are also warning about tephra, the glassy fragments and Pele's hair carried by the wind. Source: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.