Overview
- USGS confirmed Episode 40 began at 8:22 a.m. HST on Monday within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea’s summit.
- Lava fountains from the north vent exceeded 800 feet, with separate USGS observations reporting bursts over 1,500 feet and plumes up to 20,000 feet.
- Intermittent lava flows and dome fountaining persisted through the weekend, consistent with episodes that typically last under 12 hours and are separated by longer pauses.
- Sulfur dioxide emissions are estimated at 50,000 to 100,000 tons per day, raising the potential for vog and related respiratory concerns downwind.
- The activity remains inside a long-closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, posing no immediate threat to nearby communities while depositing Pele’s hair near the crater.