USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-01-09T18:31:30+00:00

HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Monday, January 12, 2026, 8:34 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2026/H21
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii

Volcanic Activity Summary:

Episode 40 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 8:22 a.m. HST on January 12. 

Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate that winds are light at the summit, less than 5 mph (2 m/s), and variable in direction. This makes it difficult to predict how the eruption plume will spread during this episode, but it will probably remain closer to Halemaʻumaʻu and the summit. 

• All eruptive activity is confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
• 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.

Recent Observations:
[Volcanic cloud height] Plume in past episodes has reached up to or above 20,000 feet (6000 meters) above ground level, driven by incandescent lava fountains up to or over 1500 feet (457 meters) high.
[Other volcanic cloud information] Most volcanic ash and pumice (tephra) falls within about 1 mile (1-2 km) of the eruptive vents during eruptive episodes. Lower concentrations of finer volcanic particles, such as ash and Pele's Hair, can be transported greater distances downwind of the vent (20 miles or 30 km). Sulfur dioxide emission rate is typically 50,000-100,000 tonnes/day during an eruptive episode.
[Ballistics] N/A
[Lava flow/dome] N/A
[Lava flow] Confined to Halemaʻumaʻu (within summit caldera).

Hazard Analysis:
[Ashfall] Small volcanic particles may impact downwind areas.
[Lava flow/dome] N/A
[Pyroclastic flow] N/A
[Mud flow] N/A
[Volcanic gas] Typically 50,000-100,000 tonnes/day during sustained lava fountaining episode.
[Lava flow] Confined to Halemaʻumaʻu (within summit caldera).

Remarks:

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: volcanic fragments including Pele's hair, volcanic ash, pumice, scoria, and reticulite can fall on the ground around and downwind of the vent(s). The extent of deposition is dependent on lava fountaining activity and current wind conditions. Light particles may be wafted to greater distances downwind. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to Pele's hair and other glassy volcanic fragments, which can cause skin and eye irritation. More information is available here: 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 also remain around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes. 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.

Contacts:

askHVO@usgs.gov

Next Notice:

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and will issue additional notices as needed based on activity. Regularly scheduled daily updates for Kīlauea are posted on the HVO website at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates  

More Information:

• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Kīlauea activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862
• Kīlauea webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/webcams
• Kīlauea photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/photo-and-video-chronology
• Kīlauea lava-flow maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/maps
• Kīlauea FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/faqs

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/
Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards
Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo
Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes