USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-02-16T10:10:01+00:00

Activity Summary:

The Halemaʻumaʻu eruption of Kīlauea is paused. Episode 42 ended last night at 11:38 p.m. HST. There is not enough data to issue forecast for the onset of episode 43 lava fountains, but it is likely 2-3 weeks away.

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

A recap of episode 42 can be found in this Status Report.

Note: The V3 camera is experiencing data issues and we have ordered a new camera to replace it following episode 42.

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

Summit Observations:                                                                                                                        

Episode 42 consisted of nearly 10 hours of fountaining from both vents, after a number of hours of precursory spattering and overflow. Further epsiode details may be found in this Status Report. Upon the end of fountaining, flames were noted issuing from both vents for a short time. Bright glow from both vents was visible through the night. At this time, both vents are quiet and emitting robust degassing plumes.

Lava flows remained incandescent and continued to spread across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater covering another 10-20% along the eastern margin of the crater.  Lava emplaced around and above the vents also continued to move downslope into the crater throughout the early morning hours.  Incandescence on the crater floor may remain for several days and flows around the vent will also continue to move downslope during this time.

Seismic tremor continues during the current pause, with intermittent pulsing of slightly stronger tremor, which is common during many pauses. There were 3 small earthquakes located across the summit region during the past day.

The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWD) recorded 33.7 microradians of deflation in association with yesterday’s fountaining. Since the cessation of fountaining, inflation has resumed, with the tiltmeter recording a recovery of nearly 3.5 microradians already since the end of episode 42.

Plume geometry and weather prevented measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rate during yesterday’s fountaining, but the emissions were likely in the range of 100,000 t/d, similar to during previous episodes. During pauses, like the current conditions, the SO₂ emission rate from the summit has varied within a typical range of 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes of SO2 per day. This morning, webcams show that the plume from the summit vents is being carried to the southwest. The National Weather Service forecast for the Kīlauea summit region for today indicates winds from the north-northeast at 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
 

Rift Zone Observations:

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

Analysis:

The rapid rebound of tilt and strong glow from both vents indicate that another fountaining episode is likely. There is not enough information at this time to develop a forecast model for episode 43.  Based on deflation associated with episode 42 and on past behavior, it will be at least 2-3 weeks before the next fountaining episode takes place in March.

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

Recap of episode 41:

A recap of episode 42 can be found in this Status Report.

Resources:

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 fountains and eruptive activity can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages 
• Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos that show eruptive lava fountains are available here: https://www.youtube.com/@usgs/streams
• Note: The V3 camera is experiencing data issues and we have ordered a new camera to replace it following episode 42.
• 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 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.