UPDATE Jan. 12, 6:13 p.m. – After nearly 10 hours of continuous lava fountaining, Episode 40 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption abruptly ended at 6:04 p.m. on Jan. 12. Episode 40 began at 8:22 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 12. The Hawaiʻi Volcano Observatory will continue to closely monitor Kīlauea and will issue additional notices as activity warrants.

From USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory livestreaming V2cam, a plume-like fountain erupted from the north vent during episode 24 on June 4–5, 2025, creating an elegant arc. With a maximum fountain height of 364 meters (1194 feet), this was the highest fountain observed up until that point. USGS photo.

The eagerly anticipated “Episode 40” of the ongoing Kilauea eruption with high fountains could happen anytime between now and Saturday, according to U.S. Geological Survey scientists.

An earthquake swarm 35 miles (55 kilometers) beneath Kilauea in August 1959 was followed in October by ground swelling indicating that magma was accumulating within the volcano.

Kīlauea summit region shook for 5 hours Nov. 14 that year as magma made a path to the surface. The eruption began at 8:08 p.m. as a series of small lava fountains on the south wall of Kīlauea Iki Crater, east of Kaluapele — the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Gradually, during the next day, eruptive activity became focused at one vent.

From Hawaiian Volcano Observatory livestreaming V2cam, a plume-like fountain erupted from the north vent during Episode 24 on June 4-5, 2025, creating an elegant arc. With a maximum fountain height of 1,194 feet, this was the highest fountain observed up until that point. (Photo Courtesy: U.S. Geological Survey)

Since December 23, 2024, the north and south vents within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, within Kaluapele (the summit caldera), have erupted in 39 lava fountaining episodes (episodes 13, 24, 28, 34, and 38 are highlighted in the photos accompanying this article).