#Kilauea pause

Episode 2 of the eruption at Kīlauea lasted a little over 24 hours, which is about twice the duration of the first eruptive episode. Prior summit eruptions have lasted days to weeks and scientists with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory say there is a high probability that this eruption will resume if the summit re-pressurizes over the coming days.

The eruption of Kīlauea slowed significantly between 3 and 4 p.m. on Monday, and appears to have paused, according to a status update posted by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The eruption started just hours earlier at 2:20 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2024.

Scientists with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory say the eruption at Kīlauea summit on June 3, 2024, has been paused for 48 hours and is unlikely to restart. Accordingly, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has lowered the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from Watch to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code from Orange to Yellow.  

Scientists with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory lowered the Volcano Alert Level at Kīlauea from Watch to Advisory, and the Aviation Color Code from Orange to Yellow today. The action comes following the pause in eruptive activity declared earlier this month on June 19.

“Resumption of eruptive activity at Kīlauea summit no longer appears to be imminent, although it is possible that another intrusion or resumption may occur in the near future with little or no warning,” according to an update from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.