USGS

Geologists are asking for the community's help in mapping fallen particles of glass and rock from Kīlauea's eruption.

Since December 2024, Kīlauea has settled into a predictable pattern, erupting roughly every one to three weeks. The 50th episode of Kīlauea's eruption is expected to start this week.

Kīlauea has hit a record number of lava fountaining episodes for any one eruption from the volcano. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says that Monday marked fountaining episode 48 since the latest on-and-off eruption began in December 2024.

Geologist Katie Mulliken and research physicist Ingrid Johnson from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory spoke with HPR contributor Betsy Brown about the one-year anniversary of Kīlauea's continued fountaining.

Dec. 23, 2025, marks one year since the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea began, bringing glowing displays of lava and fountains sometimes as tall as the Empire State Building.

Kīlauea erupted for six hours on Wednesday. Officials say lava fountains reached 1,300 feet, or 400 meters, before petering out. That is taller than New York's Empire State Building.

Scientists expect Kiīauea to again gush lava in the coming days for the 31st time since December as the mountain lives up to its identity as one of the world’s most active volcanoes. A few lucky residents and visitors will have a front row view at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

When active, Kīlauea pumps out thousands of tons of volcanic gases, namely water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. The emissions can affect our health, infrastructure, and even the climate. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote has more.

HPR contributor Betsy Brown spoke with a USGS geologist during the last eruptive episode to find out what’s causing this eruptive pattern and how it’s changing the landscape inside the crater and beyond.

After a three-month pause, Kīlauea started erupting again on Dec. 23. The on-again-off-again eruption has delighted parkgoers. The Conversation talked to Jessica Ferracane from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park about what people should expect when they visit the park to see the volcanoes.