USGS Volcanoes: Notices released in the last day.

Minor seismicity was detected over the past day. Weakly elevated surface temperatures were observed in satellite data. 

The current eruption began in July 2021 and, since then, lava flows have filled most of the summit crater and advanced into valleys below. There have been no explosions at Great Sitkin Volcano since an event in May 2021. The volcano is monitored using local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, webcams, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.

One earthquake located near Mount Kupreanof in the last day was greater than magnitude 3. Clouds obscured satellite views of the volcano but diffuse sulfur dioxide gas emissions were detected downwind. 

There is no real-time geophysical monitoring network at Mount Kupreanof. The closest functioning seismometers are approximately 17 miles (27 km) to the east of the volcano as part of the Mount Veniaminof network. Mount Kupreanof is also monitored by satellite data, remote infrasound and lightning networks, and visual observations from pilots and mariners passing by the volcano. 

Minor seismic activity and infrasound signals were detected at the volcano. Clear web camera views showed steaming from the vent. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions were observed in satellite data.  

Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a geodetic network are used to monitor Shishaldin Volcano. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lightning data, and satellite images to detect eruptions. 

Overview:

The summit eruption of Kīlauea in Halemaʻumaʻu remains paused following 7.5 hours of lava fountaining during episode 49 on June 14, 2026. Inflation measured by tiltmeters around the summit of Kīlauea resumed after episode 49 ended, indicating that another episode is likely. Preliminary forecast models indicate that the onset of fountaining episode 50 may be between June 24 and June 29; however, this forecast will be refined as more data become available. Glow was visible from both vents overnight, and degassing plumes are rising from vents this morning. 

No significant activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

NOTE: Significant changes in activity between Daily Updates are posted here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages

Summit Observations:

Bright glow and flames were visible from the south vent in Halemaʻumaʻu overnight, with intermittent glow visible from the north vent. Flames continue to be seen from south vent this morning, and degassing plumes from both vents are moving toward the southwest this morning. 

Low-frequency seismic pulsing began with the ceasation of episode 49 and continues this morning, which is typical during the onset of pauses between eruptive episodes. There were six earthquakes within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) in the past 24 hours, the largest of which was a M2.4 beneath the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu. 

Kīlauea summit deflation totaled 15.5 microradians during episode 49. Once the episode ended, inflation resumed and has since recovered 2.6 microradians of tilt at the summit tiltmeter at Uēkahuna (UWD). 

With the eruption now paused, the sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rate from the summit is likely now varying within a typical range of 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes per day. 

Rift Zone Observations:

Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain low in the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. SO₂ emissions from the East Rift Zone remain below the detection limit.

Analysis:

The abrupt switch from deflation to inflation continued at the end of episode 49 along with glow from the vents indicates that episode 50 fountaining is likely. Several more days of inflationary tilt data are needed to create a robust forecast window, but preliminary estimates suggest another fountaining episode may occur between 24-29 June.

Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u. Lava fountaining episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be longer than three weeks.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency about eruptive hazards.

Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Summary of episode 49:

A detailed account of episode 49 is given in the HVO Status Report Issued June 14: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans-public/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-15T03:23:25+00:00

• Episode 49 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at the summit of Kīlauea at 9:36 a.m. HST after approximately 5 hours of precursory activity. The episode ended abruptly at 5:05 p.m. HST on June 14, 2026, after 7.5 hours of continuous lava fountaining from the north vent. Lava fountains reached a maximum height of almost 700 ft (210 m) and lava flows covered 40-50% of the crater floor. The eruption is currently paused.
• Most tephra fell within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. There were no reports of tephra fall at public viewing locations, including the Uēkahuna bluff, Keanakākoʻi overlook, and Volcano House. Similarly, there was no ash detected by field crews in nearby communities.

Resources:

NOTE: HVO’s monitoring network is mostly recovered from recent power- and storm-related outages. Several summit stations, including the SDH tiltmeter, will remain offline until we are able to re-establish access across the deep tephra field southwest of the caldera.

The following links provide more information about the current eruption that began on December 23, 2024:

• Eruption resources, including the most recent map and a timeline of eruption episodes since December 23, 2024: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/eruption-information
• Short messages tracking the evolution of the lava fountains and eruptive activity can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages
• Three Kīlauea summit livestream cameras that show eruptive lava fountains are available here: https://www.youtube.com/@usgs/streams
• Summit eruption webcams: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit-webcams
• Volcano Watch article on gas pistons: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-so-what-earth-or-least-kilauea-a-gas-piston

Hazards:

This episodic eruption is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

• Volcanic Gas: high levels of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)—are continually released during an eruption. Emissions can remain locally hazardous in the areas immediately downwind of the vents, even when the vents are not actively erupting. SO₂ reacts in the atmosphere to create vog (volcanic air pollution) downwind. SO₂ and vog may cause respiratory and other problems at high concentrations. Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
• Tephra: small glassy volcanic fragments—volcanic ash, pumice, scoria, Pele’s hair and reticulite—are created by the lava fountains. A combination of fountaining dynamics and wind conditions determines where tephra fall may occur for any given eruption episode. Larger particles fall near the vents while light particles may be wafted greater distances. These particles may be remobilized during windy conditions following recent eruptive episodes. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to these fragments, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. More information and guidance on tephra fall hazards is available at https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/resource-and-guidance-for-volcanic-tephra-fall/
• Lava flows: lava on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea's summit caldera, remains hot and may slowly move in the days immediately following an eruptive episode.

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 eruptive 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.

Activity Summary: 

• Episode 49 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kīlauea ended abruptly at 5:05 p.m. HST on June 14, 2026, after 7.5 hours of continuous lava fountaining from the north vent. The eruption is currently paused.
• Tephra fall was restricted to the closed are of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to the southwest of the active Halemaʻumaʻu vents. No significant tephra or ash fall was reported from open overlooks in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park or in the surrounding communities at this time.

Episode 49 Chronology:

Lava fountaining episode 49 in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began at 9:36 a.m. HST on June 14 and stopped abruptly at 5:05 p.m. HST, after just under 7.5 hours of continuous fountaining from the north vent. The last 2-3 minutes was marked by gas jetting from the north vent. The south vent never fountained during this episode, but it periodically spattered or jetted, sending spatter no more than 150 feet (50 meters) into the air. The instantaneous effusion rate peaked at about 415 cubic yards (320 cubic meters) per second between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. HST, with an average effusion rate of 260 cubic yards (200 cubic meters) per second for the entire fountaining episode. An estimated 6.5 million cubic yards (5 million cubic meters) of lava erupted and covered about 40-50% of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWD) recorded about 15.5 microradians of deflationary tilt during episode 49. Seismicity followed the normal change in tremor patterns seen after most fountain episodes. There were no locatable earthquakes associated with the end of the eruption.

Episode 49 lava fountaining began a little over 5 hours after the onset of precursory lava overflows at 4:10 a.m. HST from the north vent on the morning of June 14. The initial overflow lasted about 20 minutes and was followed by another north vent overflow from 5:59 to 7:04 a.m. HST. North vent dome fountaining restarted at 8:14 a.m. HST then steadily escalated in vigor and height until it transitioned to episode 49 fountaining at 9:36 a.m. HST. The south vent first overflowed at 6:34 a.m. HST while the north vent was overflowing. Intermittent overflows continued from south vent until 9:12 a.m. HST. There were eight south vent overflows in total, each lasting no longer than 7 minutes. Tremor dropped during the south vent overflows and all ended with drain back events that produced noticeable tremor bursts, a pattern typical of gas pistoning. Meanwhile, the north vent lava fountain grew steadily until reaching a maximum height of about 700 feet (210 meters) by around 10:30 a.m. HST. Over the next several hours the fountain height gradually declined, and it was estimated about 300 feet (90 meters) high about 1 hour before the episode ended at 5:05 p.m. HST on June 14.  

The north vent lava fountain produced significant heat and ash, feeding a plume that reached a maximum height of about 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) above sea level based on radar data and verified by webcam images. Winds were out of the northeast for most of the eruption causing the plume to move to the southwest during the most energetic part of the eruption. The plume track largely remained within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with most tephra fall in the closed area. The more distal part of the plume track roughly followed the Southwest Rift Zone and USGS field crews did not find tephra in the Pahala community. At 2:55 p.m. HST, the National Weather Service updated their Special Weather Statement to include the areas adjacent to the summit of Kīlauea as having potential for ash fall due to a switch to light and variable winds in the area. USGS HVO field crews drove Crater Rim Drive, Highway 11, and into surrounding communities (Volcano, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates) without finding any significant ash fall around 3:30 p.m. HST. No ash fall was reported within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, except for very sparse Peleʻs hairs found on parked cars near KMC.

Published Notices about episode 48: 

Volcano Activity Notice at end of episode 49: USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-15T02:27:36+00:00

USGS HVO status report regarding ash fall related to episode 49: USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-15T01:39:36+00:00

Civil Defense Message about potential ash fall: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Message

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for south Hawaiʻi.  WWA Summary by Location for 19.44N 155.27W with HIZ052/HIC001/HIZ338 emphasis Special Weather Statement

HVO short messages posted to the HVO website and social media as episode 49 progressed: HVO - Observatory Messages | U.S. Geological Survey

Volcano Activity Notice near maximum fountain heights: USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-14T20:16:45+00:00

Volcano Activity Notice when episode 49 began: USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-14T18:44:52+00:00 

Kilauea Daily update for June 14 prior to the start of episode 49: USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-14T16:47:05+00:00

Volcano Activity Notice issued when precursory eruptions to episode 49 began: USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-14T14:34:51+00:00

The V3 camera gets hit with a volcanic whirlwind during episode 49: USGS Volcanoes🌋 on X: "During Episode 49, at about 2:07 p.m. on June 14, a whirlwind hit the V3 live streaming camera. These whirlwinds are a variety of dust devil that form in the presence of heat, which causes upward air flow, and strong windshear. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory maintains three https://t.co/cKmSruILUv" / X

Hazard Analysis: 

• Volcanic Gas: water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are continuously released during an eruption. SO₂ reacts in the atmosphere to create the visible haze known as vog (volcanic smog) downwind, which may cause respiratory and other problems. Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
• Tephra: small glassy volcanic fragments—volcanic ash, pumice, scoria, Pele’s hair and reticulite—are created by the lava fountains. A combination of fountaining dynamics and wind conditions determines where tephra fall may occur for any given eruption episode. Larger particles fall near the vents while light particles may be wafted greater distances. These particles may be remobilized during windy conditions following recent eruptive episodes. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to these fragments, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. More information and guidance on tephra fall hazards is available at the links below:
  • https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/resource-and-guidance-for-volcanic-tephra-fall/  
  • https://vog.ivhhn.org/sites/default/files/PelesHair_FAQs_v2.pdf
• 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. 
• 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.

Episode 49 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 5:05 PM HST on 14 June after 7.5 hours of continuous lava fountaining. USGS is dropping the Volcano Alert Level from WATCH to ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code from ORANGE to YELLOW. Additional details on this eruptive episode will be provided in the next official report.

• 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 (5 km) of the vents, lighter ash and Pele's Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
• Timeline of eruptive episodes since December 23, 2024: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/eruption-information 
• Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos are available here: https://www.youtube.com/@usgs/streams 
• Additional short updates shared during the episode can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages 

Activity Summary: 

Episode 49 is continuing with lava fountains about 330 feet (100 m) high feeding a volcanic plume above the summit of Kīlauea volcano. The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement at 2:55 p.m. HST indicating winds near the summit of Kīlauea are light and variable, which may possibly lead to trace amounts of fine ash and Peleʻs hair falling on areas surrounding the summit. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense also issued a message alerting residents to possible ash fall with a reminder to close windows and disconnect water catchment systems to avoid ash if necessary. USGS HVO field teams just finished driving Highway 11 from the 36 mile marker west of Volcano sown to Ohia Estates. They reported finding no significant ash or Peleʻs hair fall at this time from any of the communities immediately surrounding the summit of Kīlauea at this time. Within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, scattered Peleʻs hairs were seen on cars near KMC, but nothing detectable was seen falling as field teams drove through the area. While no significant ash has been detected, fine ash and Peleʻs hair can remain suspended for several hours after the eruption ends. Current wind conditions near the vents as seen on our live stream cameras is from the southwest. If ash fall is reported, we will post messages on our website at the link below.

Resources:

• National Weather Service Special Weather Statment for Kīlauea: WWA Summary by Location for 19.44N 155.27W with HIZ052/HIC001/HIZ338 emphasis Special Weather State…
• Additional short messages during episodes including ash fall reports: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages   
• Civil Defense Message about potential ash fall: https://evb.gg/n#wihmm5adyds/0kOSXJ3r
• Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos: https://www.youtube.com/@usgs/streams 
• Report tephra fall: https://hawaiiash.science/report_form 
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Information https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
• County of Hawaii Hazard Impact Map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/5865229bcba74020992b372ef18b6f17

Hazard Analysis: 

• Volcanic Gas: water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are continuously released during an eruption. SO₂ reacts in the atmosphere to create the visible haze known as vog (volcanic smog) downwind, which may cause respiratory and other problems. Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
• Tephra: small glassy volcanic fragments—volcanic ash, pumice, scoria, Pele’s hair and reticulite—are created by the lava fountains. A combination of fountaining dynamics and wind conditions determines where tephra fall may occur for any given eruption episode. Larger particles fall near the vents while light particles may be wafted greater distances. These particles may be remobilized during windy conditions following recent eruptive episodes. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to these fragments, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. More information and guidance on tephra fall hazards is available at the links below:
  • https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/resource-and-guidance-for-volcanic-tephra-fall/  
  • https://vog.ivhhn.org/sites/default/files/PelesHair_FAQs_v2.pdf
• 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. 
• 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.

Episode 49 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 09:36 HST on 14 June and continues as of this notice. 

The National Weather Service reports that the plume from this eruption is reaching 18000 feet above sea level. Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate that winds are blowing from the NE direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the SW direction from Halemaʻumaʻu. 

• 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 (5 km) of the vents, lighter ash and Pele's Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
• Help support science and community awareness by reporting tephra fall: https://hawaiiash.science/report_form 
• Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos that show eruptive lava fountains are available here: https://youtube.com/@usgs/streams 
• KPcam and MKcam provide views of the plume height for aviation purposes
• Additional short updates as the episode progresses will be posted here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages 
• Timeline of eruptive episodes since December 23, 2024: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/eruption-information 

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