Kīlauea Erupts Again; Lava Fountains Reach 330 Feet as Rare 'Volnado' Forms
USGS records the 32nd fountaining episode since December at Halemaʻumaʻu crater and captures a swirling ash vortex beside lava fountains
Kīlauea on Hawaiʻi Island resumed erupting Tuesday, sending lava fountains as high as 330 feet (100 meters) from its summit crater in the latest of a series of summit events that began in December. The U.S. Geological Survey said this marked the 32nd time the volcano has released molten rock during the current eruption, and that so far all lava has been contained within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
According to the USGS, lava first emerged from the crater's north vent after midnight and began shooting fountains at 6:35 a.m. By midmorning, the agency reported activity from the crater's south vent and a third vent located between the two. Park officials and USGS scientists said the activity was confined to the summit area and did not immediately threaten communities outside the park.
A USGS live camera also captured a rare whirlwind of ash forming beside an active lava fountain, a phenomenon the agency playfully dubbed a "volnado." Video released by the USGS shows a column of ash being drawn upward in a twisting vortex as molten rock burst skyward. The agency said the whirlwind occurred during the agency's episode 32 fountaining and was visible on the V3 live camera placed to observe Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Scientists said such whirlwinds appear when extremely hot air rising from erupting lava meets cooler air above the crater, creating turbulence that can spin loose ash and lightweight debris into a narrow column. The USGS posted the video to social media, noting the unusual but not unprecedented nature of the event.
Kīlauea is among the world's most active volcanoes and occupies the southeastern portion of Hawaiʻi Island, the largest island in the state. The summit eruption is roughly 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Honolulu on Oʻahu. Since the current eruptive episode began in December, the USGS has tracked repeated fountaining events from vents within Halemaʻumaʻu and has maintained continuous monitoring.
USGS scientists and park officials continue to observe the summit closely for changes in activity. Officials have emphasized that while the summit fountaining remains confined to the crater, volcanic behavior can change, and monitoring will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve.
Tuesday's activity adds to a months-long sequence of eruptive episodes that have provided scientists with routine opportunities to study summit lava dynamics and plume behavior. The USGS said data from cameras, seismic instruments and gas sensors will be used to assess eruption intensity and hazards going forward. No additional impacts to populated areas were reported in conjunction with this episode.