Newest Volcano Notice Including Kilauea

Activity Summary: 

• Episode 44 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 11:10 a.m. HST on April 9 and continues at this time. Peak north vent lava fountain heights of approximately 800 feet (240 meters) were reached around 1:00 p.m. HST; fountain heights are presently about 700 feet (215 meters). The south vent has not been active so far during episode 44, though it produced significant precursory overflows that began on Friday, April 3.  
• As of 2:00 p.m. HST, the north vent lava fountain is still reaching about 700 feet in height and it is feeding a plume of ash and gas above. The plume is hitting strong southerly winds about 3,000 feet (1,000 meters) above ground level, and these winds are transporting a narrow band of gas and tephra to the north-northeast of Halemaʻumaʻu. Tephra fallout is strongest in the direction of Kīlauea Military Camp and the Volcano Golf Course subdivision, with pieces of lightweight reticulite up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) reported falling in these areas. Tephra fall has also been reported near Volcano House within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
• The volcanic plume is moving northward and widening over a large section of east Hawaiʻi. These areas may expect fine ashfall consisting of Peleʻs hair and small glassy particles.
• The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall warning for much of east Hawaiʻi. The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency has closed Highway 11 through Volcano and the National Park Service has closed Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park due to falling tephra and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas. Both agencies have encouraged residents to remain inside with windows closed and to disconnect water catchment tanks if possible.

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.