(BIVN) – Scientists landed a helicopter at Halemaʻumaʻu on Wednesday, in order to obtain a sample of lava that was recently erupted from a new fissure in the Kīlauea volcano summit crater. 

The ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea is currently paused. During the last eruptive episode – Episode 30 on August 6, 2025 – a new fissure emerged, transecting the south wall of Halemaʻumaaʻu. The new fissure ceased erupting early in the episode. 

“The injection of a shallow dike resulted in the new southern fissure vent at the onset of episode 30,” the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory wrote in a recent update. “Dike emplacement in the south caldera suggests that eruptive pressure continues to increase as the vent elevation gets higher and magma can be injected into weak areas of the surrounding summit. It is possible this could result in permanent change in the vent locations and eruptive behavior. Currently, there are no indications that any eruptive activity would occur outside of the summit region. Kīlaueaʻs East Rift Zone continues to contract, indicating no magma is entering that part of the system.” 

USGS: “August 13 – View of the lava/tephra pile from the sampling location on the temporary fissure from episode 30. The helicopter landed on the crater floor on the new pāhoehoe lava that formed while the talus slope of the fissure vent was erupting.”

New photos published by the USGS HVO show scientists sampling spatter from the new fissure to better understand the source and storage of magma. 

The next eruptive episode, Episode 31, is likely to start early next week. From the USGS HVO analysis posted on Thursday: 

Current inflation rates have slowed to about 1.2 microradians a day as expected during the repose period. Models show the possible onset of episode 31 fountains to likely be between August 16 and August 20 with the most likely period being August 17 to August 19. If increasing vent elevation (see below) is factored into the model the likely window for the onset of fountaining is August 17 to August 21. Any changes in inflation rate will affect the models. Periods of no inflation or deflation, as seen prior to episode 30, cannot be forecast and will also delay the onset of the next episode.

USGS: “This image from August 13, 2025, shows spatter on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater where samples were collected. No molten lava was visible during the overflight and the Kīlauea summit eruption remains paused.” (USGS photo by D. Downs)