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See it: Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts for 55th time since 2024 after rare two-month pause

After the previous episode ended Aug. 25, USGS scientists said changes in activity at the summit — including a series of earthquakes and a shallow magma intrusion beneath Halemaʻumaʻu in late September and early October — made it impossible to predict exactly when the next episode would begin.

By Julian Atienza
Source FOX Weather
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began its 55th eruptive episode since Dec. 23, 2024, just after 3 a.m. local time Saturday, following an unusually long two-month pause. 00:41

Watch: Kilauea spews sheets of lava during 55th eruptive episode

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began its 55th eruptive episode since Dec. 23, 2024, just after 3 a.m. local time Saturday, following an unusually long two-month pause.

THE TAKEAWAY

  • Kilauea's 55th eruptive episode began early Saturday morning.
  • The volcano has seen episodic eruptions since Dec. 23, 2024.
  • Kilauea is considered one of the world's most active volcanoes.

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began its 55th eruptive episode since Dec. 23, 2024, just after 3 a.m. local time Saturday, following an unusually long two-month pause.

NEARLY 100 EARTHQUAKES SHAKE KĪLAUEA AS VOLCANIC UNREST PROMPTS PARK CLOSURE

Kilauea's 55th eruptive episode

Kilauea's 55th eruptive episode

(USGS / FOX Weather)

Kilauea has seen episodic eruptions since 2024. But after the previous episode ended Aug. 25, USGS scientists said changes in activity at the summit — including a series of earthquakes and a shallow magma intrusion beneath the Halemaʻumaʻu crater in late September and early October — made it impossible to predict exactly when the next episode would begin.

SCIENTISTS CAN NO LONGER PREDICT WHEN KILAUEA WILL ERUPT DUE TO RECENT VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

A magma intrusion occurs when magma moves into cracks beneath the Earth's surface, causing earthquakes and cracks in the ground.

USGS volcano observers said lava fountains have reached 250 feet in height.

"The fountain is feeding a broad sheet of lava into Halema'uma'u crater," the agency said on social media.

CENTURIES-OLD LAVA ROCK ARCH IN HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK COLLAPSES INTO OCEAN FOLLOWING HURRICANE NOLO

Volcanic gas that's released during eruptions can impact people downwind, particularly those with respiratory issues or other sensitive populations. Eruptions can also release Pele's hair, which are strands of volcanic glass, and can irritate skin, eyes and respiratory systems.

The Halema'uma'u Trail and parts of Byron Ledge Trail in the national park are temporarily closed due to increased seismic activity earlier this month. 

  • Kilauea spews sheets of lava during 55th eruptive episode
    Image 1 of 8

    Kilauea spews sheets of lava during 55th eruptive episode (USGS)

  • Image of Kilauea's 55th eruptive episode since Dec, 23, 2024.
    Image 2 of 8

    Image of Kilauea's 55th eruptive episode since Dec, 23, 2024. (USGS)

  • Another view of the new ground cracks in the north part of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, cutting through the recent tephra deposits on the caldera floor. New cracks were up to about 6 inches (15 cm) wide. The active vents of the ongoing eruption are visible in the upper right portion of the photo. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
    Image 3 of 8

    Another view of the new ground cracks in the north part of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, cutting through the recent tephra deposits on the caldera floor. New cracks were up to about 6 inches (15 cm) wide. The active vents of the ongoing eruption are visible in the upper right portion of the photo.  (USGS photo by M. Patrick.)

  • Image 4 of 8

    Some of the new cracks that formed on Kīlauea caldera floor between September 30-October 1 were steaming and warm (about 60 dg Celsius, or 140 dg Fahrenheit) when they were measured by this thermal camera on October 6. This area has been covered in warm, steaming cracks for decades, however, and there was no sign of magmatic gas associated with the recent intrusive activity.  (USGS photo by M. Patrick)

  • Lava fountaining from Mount Kilauea Volcano.
    Image 5 of 8

    Lava fountaining from Mount Kilauea Volcano. (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's / Facebook)

  • 54th eruption of Mount Kilauea Volcano.
    Image 6 of 8

    54th eruption of Mount Kilauea Volcano. (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's / Facebook)

  • Image 7 of 8

    Lava fountains from Kilauea volcano during 53rd eruptive episode. (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)

  • Kilauea's 53rd eruptive episode on Aug. 12, 2026.
    Image 8 of 8

    Kilauea's 53rd eruptive episode on Aug. 12, 2026. (USGS)

Previously, the somewhat regular activity at Kiluea was being driven by magma accumulating in a shallow reservoir beneath the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Each eruptive episode released some of that pressure under the crater, after which magma would refill the reservoir, leading to a relatively regular pattern.

The episodes were generally separated by pauses of two or more weeks.

4 CLASSIC TYPES OF VOLCANOES

Nighttime video of Kilauea's 47th eruption since Dec. 2024.

Nighttime video of Kilauea's 47th eruption since Dec. 2024.

(USGS via Storyful / FOX Weather)

However, several swarms of shallow earthquakes and a magma intrusion shook Kilauea in September and earlier in October, opening new cracks in the caldera, which may have contributed to the longest pause between episodes.

Kilauea is considered one of the world's most active volcanoes. 

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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