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Kīlauea volcano on Hawaiʻi Island erupted again, shooting lava as high as 1,300 feet into the air. This eruption was particularly striking, even for a volcano that’s been active for decades.
This was the 42nd episode in the current eruptive cycle, which began back in December 2024, as reported. The event lasted nearly 10 hours, with bright orange lava lighting up the crater floor. Experts say it’s part of the ongoing, intermittent activity that has seen pauses of days or even weeks, only to return with renewed intensity. People reportedly watched in awe as plumes of ash and gas climbed over 35,000 feet above sea level.The lava fountains were visible from miles away, and footage from the USGS livestream captured a vivid, almost otherworldly scene. For many, Kīlauea isn’t just a volcano; it’s a spectacle of raw power and unpredictability.
Kīlauea’s eruptions through the years show why it’s still so active
Kīlauea isn’t new to this kind of activity. Since 1952, it has erupted dozens of times, with major activity along the East Rift Zone from 1983 to 2018. The Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent was a hotspot during those years.
A lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater also persisted from 2008 to 2018. Then came 2018, with a significant eruption that led to a summit collapse and widespread changes in the crater. Experts say events like that leave lasting marks on the volcano’s structure, shaping how it erupts in the future.The current cycle, which began in December 2024, appears episodic. Some eruptions are brief. Others stretch close to 10 hours or more.
Small pauses give the impression of calm, but the volcano always seems ready to erupt again. It’s unpredictable.
LIVE: Mount Kilauea erupts in Hawaii
Kīlauea erupts with huge lava fountains
Sunday’s eruption was particularly dramatic. Lava shot high, almost like a fountain in a park, but unimaginably hot and dangerous. Observers reportedly said the lava lighting up the crater was mesmerising, even though it’s a reminder of the hazards. A massive column of ash and smoke climbed over 10,000 metres.
Experts say the plume was one of the tallest in this cycle.The USGS livestream showed bright orange streams spilling from the vent, cascading down the crater walls. You could see the heat shimmer in the air. The eruption seemed to capture attention not just for its height but for its intensity. Even small tremors around the volcano reminded residents that Kīlauea is very much alive.
How Kīlauea compares to other volcanoes
Kīlauea is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the most active on Hawaiʻi Island.
Mauna Loa is larger, but Kīlauea’s frequent eruptions make it more unpredictable in terms of timing. Scientists say much of Kīlauea’s surface is relatively young, about 90% of the lava flows are less than 1,100 years old. This ongoing renewal of the landscape shows how active and dynamic the volcano is.Despite the risks, people are fascinated. The spectacle of lava fountains, the roar of molten rock, and the rising ash column. Experts say such eruptions also provide valuable data about the volcano’s behaviour, helping to predict future activity.
