Lava fountains reach 500 feet in latest episode of Kīlauea eruption

May 12, 2025, 7:48 AM HST

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While visiting the western rim of Halemaʻumaʻu on May 11, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists watched an ānuenue (rainbow) stretch across the crater during Episode 21 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Lava fountains from the northern eruptive vent (right) were feeding extensive lava flows on the crater floor at the time. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.

Episode 21 of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu ended shortly after 8:30 on Sunday night, after about eight hours of sustained fountaining which began at 12:45 p.m. on May 11, 2025. The Halema’uma’u eruption is currently paused.

Lava fountains and flows erupted primarily from the north vent, and the south vent was largely obscured by the north vent activity. Fountains from the north vent quickly reached estimated heights of more than 500 feet, according to scientists with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

On May 11, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists visited the western rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater to observe episode 21 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. While there, they captured this photo of lava fountains that were reaching approximately 500 feet (150 meters) in height above the northern eruptive vent and feeding several open lava channels onto the crater floor. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.

Kīlauea’s current eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (the summit caldera) began on Dec.23, 2024. There have now been 21 episodes separated by pauses in activity. Each episode of Halemaʻumaʻu lava fountaining since the onset, has continued for 13 hours to eight days and episodes have been separated by pauses in eruptive activity lasting less than 24 hours to 12 days.

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All eruptive activity remains within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.