Kīlauea sets lava-fountaining record with episode 48, Hawaii

In the early morning hours of June 1, 2026, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported to Uēkahuna to watch the beginning of Kīlauea summit eruption fountaining episode 48. The fountaining episode began at HST, and HST, the Halemaʻumaʻu north vent already hosted a lava fountain reaching more than 100 m (330 feet) high. Episode 48 began from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu and ended abruptly at HST ( UTC) after just under 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining. HVO said the eruption has surpassed the 47 fountaining episodes recorded during the opening years of the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption from 1983 to 1986, establishing a new record for episodic lava fountaining during a single Kīlauea eruption in the written record. The episode began about 35 hours after precursory lava overflows started from the south vent at HST on May 30. HVO recorded 95 overflows, each lasting 5 to 10 minutes and recurring every 15 to 30 minutes, before sustained fountaining became established at the north vent on June 1. The north vent fountain reached about 200 m (650 feet) by HST, then gradually declined through the morning. HVO estimated peak effusion near 320 m3/s (415 yd3/s) shortly before HST, with an average rate of 185 m3/s (245 yd3/s) during the episode. Visitors at Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park viewed lava fountaining from the north vent during episode 48 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption at approximately HST on June 1, 2026. Gallant This photo of the Halemaʻumaʻu north vent lava fountain was captured shortly after sunrise on June 1, 2026, around the time activity peaked during episode 48 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Preliminary estimates indicate the lava fountain reached at least 150 m (500 feet) in height during the episode. Most tephra fell within the crater and immediately adjacent areas along the rim, although lighter particles were lofted higher and carried greater distances downwind. Zoeller During episode 48 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on June 1, 2026, the north vent lava fountain reached a maximum height of nearly 200 m (650 feet) at its peak around HST. This photo was taken at HST, nearly an hour and a half later, and shows a fountain reaching about 152.5 m (500 feet). Gallant Episode 48 lava fountains started at HST from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Lava fountains reached a maximum height of nearly 200 m (650 feet) at their peak, shown here in a photo taken at HST. Gallant In the early morning hours of June 1, 2026, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported to Uēkahuna to watch the beginning of Kīlauea summit eruption fountaining episode 48.