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2w ago

Kīlauea’s 32nd Summit Episode Sends 500-Foot Fountains, Stays in Crater

Scientists say the eruption’s next phase remains uncertain.

“Volnado” Dances Around Spectacular Lava Fountain In Kīlauea Volcano Crater
This image released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the erupting Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the rim of the Kilauea caldera at the summit of the Kīlauea volcano on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in Hawaii. ()
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Overview

  • The Sept. 2 episode began at 6:35 a.m. HST after lava first emerged from the north vent after midnight and expanded to three vents by mid-morning.
  • Activity ended at 8:01 p.m., lasting about 13 hours and producing roughly 9.56 million m³ (≈337 million ft³) of lava that covered 40–50% of the crater floor.
  • USGS measured fountains up to about 150 meters (≈500 feet) high with all lava confined to Halemaʻumaʻu inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
  • About 55,000 tons of sulfur dioxide were released, prompting vog and air-quality warnings along with advisories about Pele’s hair, ground cracking and unstable rims.
  • Whirlwinds nicknamed “volnadoes” were documented near the fountains as monitoring continued of the summit-only eruption sequence that has reached 32 episodes since December.