Volcano Hawaii Travel Tips from Aloha Juncton

The 17th episode of the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea volcano began at 10:15 p.m. HST on April 7, 2025, with lava overflowing from the south vent. The eruption started earlier than expected, as scientists had anticipated it between April 10 and 13. The lava flow was preceded by an increase in glow from the south vent, indicating rising lava levels. By 2:50 a.m. HST on April 8, lava was overflowing, spreading across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, with low spatter fountains reaching 15-30 feet high.

The eruption is accompanied by a steady increase in seismic tremor and slight deflation in the UWD tilt. Lava fountains are expected to grow higher, as seen in previous episodes, where fountains reached over 1,000 feet. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions are elevated, potentially reaching 50,000 tonnes per day, similar to previous episodes. Visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and nearby residents may be exposed to volcanic glass fragments (Peleʻs hair) carried in the plume, just as in episode 16.

Kīlauea Volcano Update (April 3, 2025)

• Current Status:

  • Alert Level: WATCH

  • Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

  • The ongoing eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu crater (Kīlauea's summit) entered Episode 16 on April 2, 2025, with lava fountaining stopping by noon HST.

  • The eruption began on December 23, 2024, and has had 16 episodes of varying lava fountaining intensity.

  • Eruption activity is confined to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, with no significant activity in Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

• Recent Observations:

  • The cessation of lava fountaining (Episode 16) occurred at 12:03 p.m. HST on April 2.

  • Gas emissions are high but have decreased slightly from the fountaining levels, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) being the primary component. The plume is blowing northward.

  • The volcano has been undergoing summit inflation, indicating magma re-pressurization and suggesting that another fountaining episode may begin in the next week (April 10–13, 2025).

  • Pele's Hair and volcanic glass fragments remain present around the summit area, with wind potentially spreading these hazards.

• Volcanic Hazards:

  • Gas emissions (including SO2 and vog) pose health risks, especially downwind.

  • Pele's Hair—fine volcanic glass—can irritate skin and eyes and be dispersed by wind.

  • Rockfalls, ground cracking, and wall instability around the summit and caldera remain significant hazards, particularly near the closed area of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

• Rift Zone:

  • Seismic activity and ground deformation are minimal in the East and Southwest Rift Zones.

  • Sulfur dioxide emissions from the rift zone are below detection limits.

• Expected Next Activity:

  • Based on inflation data, a new lava fountaining episode is expected within 7-10 days (April 10-13, 2025). Further updates will refine the prediction window.

• Additional Information:

  • Cameras and sensors have been temporarily offline due to damage sustained during high fountaining events on March 26, 2025.

  • Continued monitoring by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and local Civil Defense.

The eruption at Kīlauea's summit has paused after Episode 13 ended on March 11. Scientists from the USGS observed and collected samples during a monitoring flight. The eruption caused significant changes in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with lava flows covering over 60% of the crater floor. The USGS Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH, and no changes have been detected in the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

March 7, 2025   The summit eruption of Kīlauea is currently paused, with the USGS Volcano Alert Level set to WATCH. A new episode (Episode 13) is expected within the next 5-7 days, likely involving high lava fountaining from vents within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Since December 23, 2024, Kīlauea has experienced 12 episodes of dual lava fountains. Historical eruptions with similar characteristics include the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption (1983), the Maunaulu eruption (1969), and the Kīlauea Iki eruption (1959).