Kīlauea Volcano Erupts 32nd Time With 500-Foot Lava Fountains In Hawaiʻi

Kīlauea volcano on Hawaii Island resumed eruptive activity on September 2, 2025, with its 32nd episode of lava fountaining at the Halemaʻumaʻu summit crater. Starting at 6:35 a.m. HST, lava fountains from the north vent rose about 500 feet high, inclined roughly 45 degrees northeast, producing an eruptive plume reaching between 9,000 and 20,000 feet above ground level. The eruption remains confined to the summit crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with no impact on nearby commercial airports. Winds blowing from the northeast are carrying volcanic gases and fine particles southwest, potentially increasing sulfur dioxide concentrations and volcanic smog (vog) that could affect air quality in downwind communities. Hazards near the vent include fallout of volcanic glass strands, pumice, scoria, and ash, though ash and tephra emissions are limited due to the inclined nature of the fountains. The episode was preceded by gas pistoning and lava overflows starting late on September 1, accompanied by deflationary tilt and strong seismic tremor indicating escalating volcanic activity.