USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-06-01T16:10:56+00:00

Activity Summary: 

Lava fountaining episode 48 in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began at 4:40 a.m. HST on June 1, 2026, after more than 90 overflow events from the south vent that started at 5:41 p.m. HST on May 30. 

Fountaining is focused at the north vent, and has reached more than 650 ft high (200 m). Seismic and deformation signals indcate that the fountain has reached its peak height and effusion rate for episode 48 already, although fountaining will likely continue for many more hours.

Webcams and radar indicate that the plume has reached 24,000 ft above sea level (7,300 m). Ground level winds are from the northwest and can potentially disperse tephra to the southwest in the Kau Desert and to Pāhala and even farther. Higher level winds at 10,000 to 20,000 ft above sea leve (3,000 to 6,000 m) are from the south and can potentially disperse tephra to the north and east into public overlooks in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and into communities around the national park.

The National Weather Service has issued an ash advisory for south and east Hawaiʻi.  WWA Summary by Location for 19.41N 155.29W with HIZ052/HIC001/HIZ338 emphasis Ashfall Advisory

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency has also released an ALERT notifiying residents to prepare for ash and tephra by closing windows and disconnecting catchment systems where possible. Everbridge - Mass Notification

Current Conditions:

Ash and tephra up to several inches (several centimeters) in diameter and strands of Pele's hair have been reported at the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Tephra is also falling on Highway 11 near and west of the Nāmakanipaio campground between mile marker 32 and 34. 

Fine ash and Peleʻs hair has been reported from Volcano village, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates to the northeast of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Sulfur dioxide gas has not been reported with this tephra fall. Satellite data show most of the gas is carried away in the high plume.

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.