#ongoing episodic summit eruption

An estimated 6 million cubic yards of lava erupted and covered about 40% to 50% of the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor; An abrupt switch from deflation to inflation at the summit coincided with the end of Episode 53 fountaining, indicating another lava fountaining episode is likely.

The easiest answer to the question of whether lava will flow out of the caldera is — it depends!

Episode 47 of lava fountaining during the ongoing episodic summit eruption of the Big Island volcano tied the 1983-86 initial phase of the Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption on Kīlauea, which had a total of 47 events, for the most fountaining episodes ever recorded — so far — at the volcano; so how do these historic eruptions compare?

As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that could experience tephra fallout.

The warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 25) for most eastern, southeastern, southern and interior portions of the island; Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reports portion of Highway 11 in Puna and Kaʻū as well as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are closed because of ashfall.