Kīlauea’s Epic Halemaʻumaʻu Eruption Pauses After Towering Lava Fountains, More Explosive Activity Likely
One of the most dramatic volcanic episodes in recent Hawaiian history has entered a temporary pause, but scientists say the volcano is far from finished. According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea has paused following Episode 41 of lava fountaining at Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an eruption that sent molten rock more than 1,500 feet into the air and blanketed large portions of the island with ash and volcanic debris. The volcano remains at WATCH alert level, with an ORANGE aviation code, as scientists detect continued inflation, seismic tremor, and persistent glow from summit vents, all indicators that another explosive episode is likely within weeks.
A Brief Calm After a Violent Outburst
The eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu officially paused after Episode 41 ended on January 24, following more than eight hours of sustained lava fountaining from both the north and south vents. Overnight webcams continued to capture intermittent glow from both vents, while instruments recorded steady pressurization beneath the summit.
HVO scientists report that the Uēkahuna tiltmeter has measured approximately 9 microradians of summit inflation since the eruption paused, a rapid rebound that strongly suggests magma is once again accumulating at shallow depth. Low-level seismic tremor continues, with rhythmic pulses occurring every ten minutes, along with several shallow earthquakes beneath the summit in the past 24 hours.
Episode 41 by the Numbers
Episode 41 now stands as one of the most powerful eruptive events of Kīlauea’s current cycle, which began in December 2024.
• Lava fountains reached 460–480 meters (1,500–1,575 feet)
• Peak lava output exceeded 1,050 cubic yards per second
• Roughly 14 million cubic yards of lava erupted
• 80–85% of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor was resurfaced
• Tephra fell across Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and as far away as Hilo and Puna
Fine ash and Pele’s hair were reported in dozens of communities, prompting health advisories over air quality and water contamination risks.
Why Scientists Expect More
HVO scientists say the volcano’s behavior is consistent with earlier phases of the eruption: short, intense lava fountain episodes separated by days or weeks of quiet pressurization. The combination of renewed inflation, persistent vent glow, and ongoing tremor indicates magma remains close to the surface. Based on preliminary data, HVO currently forecasts the onset of Episode 42 between February 9 and February 20, though officials caution that volcanic systems remain unpredictable. No significant activity has been detected along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone, meaning the eruption remains confined to the summit, for now.
Hazards Remain High Despite the Pause
Even during eruptive lulls, Kīlauea poses serious dangers. Sulfur dioxide emissions continue at levels capable of producing vog downwind, while fresh lava on the crater floor remains dangerously hot and mobile. Loose tephra near the crater rim increases the risk of collapses and landslides, and the caldera remains closed to the public due to long-standing instability dating back to 2007. HVO officials say they remain in close coordination with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and county civil defense authorities as monitoring continues around the clock.
A Volcano That Isn’t Done Speaking
Kīlauea has erupted episodically for more than a year, but Episode 41 underscored just how violent and far-reaching the volcano can still be. With magma recharging beneath the summit and instruments flashing familiar warning signs, scientists say the pause should not be mistaken for an end. It is, instead, the deep inhale before the next eruption.
