Kilauea Volcano Erupts 25th Episode with 1,000-Foot Lava Fountains

Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island continues its ongoing eruption, with the 25th eruptive episode beginning in early June and marked by lava fountains reaching heights from over 330 feet to a record 1,000 feet. The eruption, which started on December 23, 2024, features episodic lava fountaining accompanied by gas-pistoning, spattering, and significant sulfur dioxide emissions, posing hazards such as vog and Pele's hair that can affect skin and eyes. Activity remains confined to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with no changes detected in the East or Southwest Rift Zones, but park authorities emphasize the danger of unstable crater walls and ground cracking, urging visitors to avoid closed areas. The eruption episodes typically last about a day or less with pauses of several days, and the volcanic alert level remains at watch with an orange aviation color code. Large lava flows and tephra deposits have altered parts of Halema'uma'u Crater floor, while volcanic plumes have risen as high as 5 kilometers. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, warning of potential increased lava fountain heights and ongoing volcanic hazards.