Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano erupted for the 49th time, sending lava fountains and plumes of smoke high into the sky. The latest eruptive episode began Sunday morning when lava burst from the crater.
HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii – Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano erupted for the 49th time on Sunday, blasting lava and thick plumes of smoke high into the air.
VIDEO: LAVA SHOOTS FROM MOUNT KĪLAUEA IN HAWAII AMID HISTORIC 48TH ERUPTION EPISODE
Episode 49 began at 9:36 a.m. HST, when lava fountains burst from the crater, marking the start of the latest eruption.
The last eruption occurred two weeks ago on May 31.
The 44th episode of the Mount Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii.
(USGS / YouTube / FOX Weather)
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that precursory activity for Episode 49 began during the early morning hours when 10- to 15-foot (3- to 5-meter) dome fountains at Halemaʻumaʻu’s north vent fed a short lava flow. The flow eventually stagnated, and the lava drained back into the vent before activity shifted to the south vent.
HERE ARE THE DIFFERENT ASHFALL ALERTS THAT COULD BE ISSUED DURING VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
Throughout the morning, webcams showed a series of precursory overflows from the south vent, while a small stream of lava spilled onto the back wall of the north vent.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Hawaii’s ongoing Kīlauea Halemaʻumaʻu Volcano erupted sustaining lava fountains approximately 400 feet in height.
As of right now, the plumes from the eruption have reached 18,000 feet above sea level while the lava fountains from the north vent have reached 700 feet high.
Authorities have issued a code orange watch. They say residents should be aware of volcanic gas and tephra during this episode.
Ash falls from the sky amid Mount Kīlauea volcano eruption.
(USGS / YOUTUBE)
High levels of volcanic gas, including sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, continue to be released and may create vog, or volcanic air pollution, which can cause respiratory irritation and other health problems.
Authorities also warned that tephra such as volcanic ash, pumice and Pele’s hair, may irritate the skin, eyes and lungs.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park experiences the 41st episode of the Mount Kīlauea Volcano (Jan. 24, 2026).
(U. S. Geological Survey/TMX )
While the larger volcanic fragments fall near the vents, lighter particles are traveling at a greater distance due to the wind conditions.
The National Weather Service said the area is experiencing northeasterly winds, carrying the tephra to the southwest of the summit.
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Stay with FOX Weather as Kīlauea’s episode 49 continues.
