Lava fountaining reaches 600 feet during Episode 56 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption

(Update: 2:47 p.m., Nov. 5, 2026)

Episode 56 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea, began at 12:10 p.m. HST on Nov. 5, 2026, and continues as of this notice. The lava fountain has reached a maximum height of about 660 feet.

The National Weather Service and Washington VAAC report that the plume from this eruption is reaching 18,000 feet above sea level. Surface-level winds are blowing from the northeast direction, with upper level winds from the east-southeast, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed between the southwest and northwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu. 

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Episode 56 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. 

Lava fountain heights are relatively low at about 100 ft, but will likely increase, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate that winds are blowing from the northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the southwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu. 

Lava flows generally advance slowly downslope, and during this eruption flows have been confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea’s summit caldera.

All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles of the vents, lighter ash and Pele’s Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.

“Other significant hazards exist around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes. Close to the vents, the tephra material on the crater rim is prone to cracking, slumping, and small landslides that sometimes expose hot and molten material within. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of Kīlauea’s caldera rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since late 2007,” according to the HVO.

Most lava fountaining episodes since Dec. 23, 2024, have continued for a day or less.

KPcam and MKcam provide views of the plume height for aviation purposes