World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Kīlauea's 55th lava-fountaining episode ends after less than six hours
Kīlauea's 55th lava-fountaining episode began Saturday at 3:19 a.m.
local time in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at the volcano's summit in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The fountains reached about 700 feet high around 5 a.m., according to the US Geological Survey.
The episode ended at 9:03 a.m., after less than six hours.
This was the latest in a series of summit eruption episodes that began in December 2024, with activity between episodes including lava flows and spatter.
Lava and eruptive activity stayed within the crater, but ash, volcanic gas and small glassy fragments can still pose hazards nearby or downwind.
The crater rim around Halemaʻumaʻu has been closed to the public since 2007 because of dangers including unstable ground and rockfalls.
The eruption is paused, and scientists are monitoring Kīlauea for further activity.
Kīlauea’s 55th summit lava-fountaining episode began on October 17 and ended abruptly at 9:03 a.m. local time, less than six hours later.
The episode began at 3:19 a.m. at the north vent inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Lava fountains reached an estimated maximum height of about 720 feet around 5 a.m., after beginning at about 100 to 150 feet.
Preliminary estimates put the volume of lava erupted at about seven million cubic metres.
Volcanic gas, ash and glassy fragments can remain hazardous near the vents and downwind after an episode ends.
- Who
- Kīlauea, monitored by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and USGS.
- What
- Its 55th summit lava-fountaining episode ended after less than six hours.
- When
- October 17, 2026. It began at 3:19 a.m. and ended at 9:03 a.m. local time.
- Where
- Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea’s summit, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
- Why
- The sources describe the eruption but do not state a specific cause for this episode.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kīlauea’s 54th lava-fountaining episode took place.
Continuous overflows from the vents began.
Episode 55 began at the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
The lava fountains reached their estimated maximum height of about 720 feet.
Episode 55 ended abruptly.
- Episode
- 55th lava-fountaining episode
- Start
- October 17, 2026, at 3:19 a.m. local time
- End
- October 17, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. local time
- Maximum fountain height
- Approximately 720 feet (220 metres)
- Estimated lava volume
- About seven million cubic metres
- Location
- Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
3 sources
What people are saying
Fountaining episodes typically last 12 hours or less, but ash can remain in the air for longer depending on wind and weather conditions.
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Kīlauea Eruption Update — Episode 55 of lava fountaining! After nearly two months since episode 54 of lava fountaining (Aug. 25, 2026), episode 55 of Kīlauea summit lava fountaining began at 3:19 a.m. HST this morning, October 17, and is ongoing. This is the 55th lava
Intermittent overflows and spatter continue to erupt at Kīlauea’s summit, with activity at both north and south vents and strong overnight glow. 🌋 West vent also showed occasional glow. Tremor remains steady and summit tilt shows minor inflation. Episode 55 remains possible as