Hawaii’s Kīlauea is experiencing another eruption episode – its 53rd since December 23, 2024. The episode sent fountains of lava soaring into the air, reaching about 500 feet high.
THE TAKEAWAY
• Hawaii’s Kilauea erupts for the 53rd time since December 23, 2024.
• Volcanic gas can impact people with respiratory issues
• Kilauea last erupted on July 29
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK — Hawaii‘s Kilauea volcano erupted once again at 3:30 p.m. local time Thursday, according to USGS. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and this is its 53rd eruptive episode since December 23, 2024.
Lava fountains peaked at 500 feet and the ash plume from the eruption reached over 18,000 feet above sea level.
Like all the recent eruptions, this episode was confined to the Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where no people live.
However, volcanic gas that’s released during eruptions can impact people downwind, particularly those with respiratory issues or other sensitive populations.
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Kilauea erupts on June 20, 2025 for 26th time since Dec. 2024.
(USGS / FOX Weather)
The USGS said this eruption could have released Pele’s hair, which are strands of volcanic glass, and can irritate skin, eyes and respiratory systems.
The eruption came to an end just before 1:30 a.m. Friday after 9.6 hours, USGS said. Kilauea’s 52nd eruptive episode was on July 29.
A sample of volcanic glass fibers known as “Pele’s Hair.”
(National Park Service / FOX Weather)
This period of frequent activity at Kiluea is being driven by magma chambers that are quickly refilling within the volcano. These short eruptions have not been strong enough to dramatically change the pressure in these chambers, which have reached something of an equilibrium.
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“Since the ongoing eruption began in December of 2024, there has been little overall change in the amount of pressurization of the magma chambers beneath Kīlauea summit,” the USGS said in a FAQ report on Kilauea.
