(BIVN) – The ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano is paused, following episode 56 of high lava fountaining on Thursday, November 5th.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports the summit is reinflating and the next episode of lava fountaining is likely several weeks away.
From the Observatory update posted on Sunday morning:
Summit Observations:
Summit webcams recorded weak to moderate glow at both the north and southwest vents overnight.
This morning, seismic tremor remains elevated. One small earthquake was located at the summit in the past day.
The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWD) recorded continued summit inflation following the end of episode 56 lava fountaining. This morning UWD has recovered a total of 6.5 microradians of inflationary tilt since the end of episode 56.
During the eruptive pauses between fountaining episodes, the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate from the summit is typically several thousand tonnes per day. Trade winds this morning are carrying volcanic gases southwest toward Kaʻū.
Rift Zone Observations:
Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain low in the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. SO2 emissions from the East Rift Zone remain below the detection limit.
Analysis:
Following the end of episode 56 on November 5, 2026, summit tiltmeters recorded a typical post-fountaining recovery, with a steady inflationary trend that continues this morning. Based on previous episodes, the next lava fountaining is likely several weeks away.
Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, from two primary vents (north and south) within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit. Lava fountaining episodes generally last less than 12 hours and are separated by pauses of two or more weeks.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and remains in contact with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency regarding eruptive hazards.
