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COURTESY USGS
Episode 51 of lava fountaining began today at Kilauea’s Halemaumau crater.
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COURTESY USGS
This screenshot of a U.S. Geological Survey webcam shows lava fountaining today from Kilauea volcano’s episode 51 of the ongoing eruption that began on Dec. 23, 2024 within Halemaumau crater.
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COURTESY USGS
This screenshot of a U.S. Geological Survey webcam shows lava fountaining today from Kilauea volcano’s episode 51 of the ongoing eruption that began on Dec. 23, 2024.
Lava fountaining returned to Halemaumau crater today for the 51st time since the current on-again, off-again Kilauea eruption began on Dec. 23, 2024.
Scientists with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the fountaining began at 8:30 a.m. from the north vent within Halemaumau crater at the volcano’s summit, reaching heights of about 160 feet above ground level. North vent fountains are feeding large lava flows onto the crater floor, they said in a news release.
Winds were “blowing 5-10 mph from the east-northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the west-southwest direction from Halemaumau,” scientists said.
“Tephra including ash may be carried by the wind in the direction of communities in the Ka’u district including Pahala and Naalehu, and on Highway 11 southwest of Volcano. Higher level winds are from the south with the possibility of tephra being dispersed into communities adjacent to and north of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. “
They urged area residents “to prepare your home by closing windows and disconnecting (water) catchment if necessary.”
Ahead of Episode 51, the National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a special weather statement on Tuesday warning that “varying levels of ash, Pele’s hair, and other lightweight tephra may fall downwind of the eruption. Smaller particles can travel farther from the eruption site and may affect communities at greater distances.”
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“If you live downwind of the Kilauea summit, or plan to visit the summit area, stay informed about current volcanic activity and weather conditions,” the NWS said. “Be prepared to take precautions if needed, such as disconnecting water catchment systems. Follow all guidance from the National Park Service and the County of Hawaii. Be aware that road or park closures may occur”
HVO scientists said lava activity of all 51 episodes have been confined to the summit crater since the current eruption began in late 2024, and that individual episodes have continued for a day or less.