Kīlauea Summit Eruption Launches Dual Lava Fountains, Ashfall Threatens Hawaiʻi Island

Episode 34 of the ongoing Kīlauea volcano eruption began in the early hours of October 1, 2025, marked by dual lava fountains erupting simultaneously from the north and south vents within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Lava fountains initially started low but quickly increased to heights of about 330 feet, with past eruptions producing fountains up to 1,000 feet and plumes reaching 20,000 feet. All volcanic activity remains confined to the summit caldera inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with low-level trade winds pushing volcanic ash and gases toward the southwest, potentially affecting nearby communities such as Pāhala, Wood Valley, and Ocean View. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement warning of ashfall and advising those with respiratory sensitivities to take precautions. Despite the federal government shutdown, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues monitoring the eruption, though updates on social media have been paused. Scientists note that since December 2024, eruptions at Halemaʻumaʻu have been brief, typically lasting less than a day, and the current activity is closely observed with multiple monitoring instruments and cameras.