Lava fountains soar as Hawaii’s Kīlauea erupts from dawn to dusk

Lava fountains shot from Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano from dawn to dusk on Saturday, with new footage showing intensifying activity at the north vent.

Reuters

Lava and ash rose throughout the day on 6 December, according to images recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said sustained lava fountains reaching around 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 metres) were erupting from the north vent, with heights increasing rapidly. The activity remained confined to the Halemaʻumaʻu crater inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Kīlauea, located in a closed area of the park, is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and has been erupting intermittently since 23 December 2024.

Since the current eruption began in late 2024, Kīlauea has experienced a sustained series of lava-fountaining events throughout 2025. With the start of Episode 38, the volcano has now produced at least 38 eruptive episodes, marking one of its most active periods in recent decades.

Most activity has taken place within the summit crater, Halemaʻumaʻu, inside the wider summit caldera. Episodes have featured powerful lava fountains and intermittent flows emerging from multiple vents.

Fountain heights in 2025 have ranged from a few hundred feet to more than 1,200 feet (about 370 metres), creating dramatic displays that have drawn global attention.

Individual eruptive episodes have lasted from several hours to several days, separated by pauses ranging from less than a day to around 12 days.

All activity has remained confined to the summit caldera and crater. There have been no significant eruptions in the rift zones, and no residential areas have been threatened during this period.

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