Watch: Lava from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano creates 'showers of gold' as it spews during latest episode
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, episode 11 of the Halema'uma'u eruption within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park got underway just before 6:30 p.m. local time (11:30 p.m. ET) on Tuesday.
Watch: Kilauea volcano's lava creates stunning show of color
Lava from the Kilauea volcano created what a tour operator described as showers of gold as it spewed from the crater during the 11th episode of recent eruption activity. Footage by John D Tarson, of EpicLava, shows lava spewing from the volcano on Tuesday night.
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is at it again, with lava from the latest eruptive episode shooting nearly 600 feet into the air.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), episode 11 of the Halema'uma'u eruption within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park got underway just before 6:30 p.m. local time (11:30 p.m. ET) Tuesday. The episode ended at 7:06 a.m. local time (12:06 p.m. ET) Wednesday.
Watch: Hawaii's Kilauea volcano shoots lava hundreds of feet into the air
A video shared by the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava from Hawaii's Kilauea shooting into the air on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
Officials said the eruption began with small lava fountains between 20 and 30 feet high that were feeding short lava flows. However, those heights increased to around 100 feet about 20 minutes later and then to approximately 400 feet just about a half-hour after the eruptive episode began.
Since then, the eruption has continued, and officials say lava fountains have continued from both the north and south vents. In addition, the USGS said lava fountains from the north vent reached a maximum height of between 500 and 600 feet before they started to decrease.
Tour operator John D. Tarson, of EpicLava, described it as "showers of gold" as it spewed from the crater Tuesday night.
Footage by John D Tarson, of EpicLava, shows lava spewing from the volcano on Tuesday night.
(EpicLava via Storyful)
The latest episode of lava fountains is part of the active eruption period that began on Dec. 23, 2024. The USGS said each lava fountain episode has lasted about 13 hours and has been separated by pauses in activity for about a day to 12 days between episodes.
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With the on-and-off lava fountains, Volcanoes National Park guests have been treated to amazing views from a safe distance. However, NPS officials warn that volcanic activity can produce hazardous gases like sulfur dioxide. These particles can be especially dangerous to those with heart or respiratory issues. The park posts daily sulfur dioxide air quality alerts, which can be found here.
In addition, the USGS warned about the possibility of windblown volcanic glass, known as Pele's Hair, impacting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities.