USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-03-10T20:58:58+00:00

Activity Summary: 

• Episode 43 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at Kīlauea summit began around 9:17 a.m. HST on March 10, 2026, and is continuing at this time.
• Initial fountains began from the north vent with the south vent starting just before 10 a.m. HST.
• Currently the south fountain is 1150 feet (350 meters) high and the north vent is 1000 feet (300 meters) high.
• Maximum fountain heights for both vents were over 1300 feet (400 meters).
• Lava flows are have covered about one third of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
• Precursory overflows began from the north vent at 8:20 a.m. HST and continued directly into the fountaining episode.
• Tephra fallout, visible in HVO webcams from as early as 9:50 a.m. HST, is creating hazardous conditions in areas downwind, including neighboring communities and Highway 11. 
  • Volcano Village and Mauna Loa Estates - up to 3 inches in diameter
  • Royal Hawaiian Estates - up half an inch in diameter and Pele's hair
  • Fallout that nearly continuously covers the ground has been reported at various overlooks in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Volcano Golf Course
• The National Weather Service has issued an Ashfall Warning: https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=HIZ052&warncounty=HIC001&firewxzone=HIZ338&local_place1=3%20Miles%20SSW%20Hawaii%20Volcanoes%20National%20Park%20HI&product1=Ashfall+Warning&lat=19.4&lon=-155.289 
• Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency announced the closure of Highway 11 between the 24 and 40 mile markers due to dangerous conditions being created by tephra falling: https://hawaii-county-civil-defense-agency-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/ 
• Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has announced that temporary closures around Kīlauea summit are in place due to volcanic hazards. Lodging guests of Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp will be allowed to enter the park. 
• Report tephra fall: https://hawaiiash.science/report_form 
• Lava fountains from the south vent are currently reaching 1310 feet, while the north vent lava fountains are a little under 985 feet high. 
• NWS/VAAC reports the plume currently reaching 30,000 feet above sea level. Winds from the south are currently pushing the plume to the north. 
• Heed National Park Service and County of Hawaii guidance. 

Resources:

• Additional short messages during episodes: 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 
• 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.