Imagine witnessing a volcanic eruption so rare, it hasn’t been seen in nearly four decades. That’s exactly what’s happening at Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater, where a unique and dramatic eruption began on December 23, 2024. But here’s where it gets controversial: while this eruption offers breathtaking views for visitors at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, it also serves as a stark reminder of the ever-changing and potentially deadly hazards that come with such dynamic volcanic activity.**
This isn’t your typical eruption. Characterized by high lava-fountaining episodes—some reaching heights of up to 1,500 feet—this event has reshaped the landscape around Halemaʻumaʻu in ways that are both awe-inspiring and alarming. What makes this eruption even more remarkable is our ability to observe, document, and forecast it like never before. Thanks to modern technology, scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) have been able to study this eruption in unprecedented detail, providing real-time insights into its behavior.
And this is the part most people miss: eruptions like this are incredibly rare at Kīlauea. Only three similar events have been documented in the past—the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption, the initial phase of the 1969–74 Maunaulu eruption, and the early episodes of Puʻuʻōʻō from 1983 to 1986. Unlike those eruptions, which lacked today’s advanced monitoring tools, this one is being tracked with a dense network of sensors, satellite observations, and real-time cameras. This has allowed scientists to forecast eruption onsets and understand how quickly hazards can evolve—sometimes in a matter of minutes.
The eruption began before dawn on December 23, 2024, and has since followed a pattern of short-lived but intense fountaining episodes, each lasting between 5 to 40 hours, separated by one-to-three-week pauses. These episodes have dramatically altered the crater’s surroundings. Pre-existing cracks and fault scarps are now buried under layers of tephra, potentially hiding voids beneath the surface. A new 140-foot-tall hill has formed on the northwest rim, and the caldera floor has risen by 223 feet. But the beauty comes with danger.
Episode 38, which occurred on December 6, 2025, highlighted just how quickly hazards can escalate. During this 12-hour episode, the south vent began producing powerful inclined fountaining, sending hot spatter and molten lava over 1,000 feet into the air. The HVO’s V3 livestream camera, located just 0.4 miles away, was destroyed by the falling tephra, now buried under 32 feet of debris. Even the Sand Hill station, a mile away, saw plastic components melt under the heat of falling tephra, now covered by 4 feet of material. These incidents underscore a critical safety message: during high fountaining, life-threatening hazards exist in areas of the park that are closed to the public.
The direction and intensity of these hazards depend heavily on whether the fountains remain vertical or become inclined, as seen in Episode 38. Wind patterns, such as the tradewinds, can further extend the reach of hot tephra and volcanic glass. While tradewinds typically deposit tephra to the southwest, they aren’t always present, especially in winter. During Episode 4, for example, tephra fell on Uēkahuna Bluff, just a mile from the vents, and significant amounts of Pele’s Hair were found around the Kīlauea caldera and nearby communities. Volcanic air pollution, or vog, can spread even farther, sometimes affecting neighboring islands.
Behind the scenes, HVO staff are working tirelessly to monitor this prolonged eruption. Field engineers trek through thick tephra deposits to maintain and revive monitoring stations, while geologists measure tephra thickness and collect samples to track the eruption’s evolution. Geodesists monitor ground deformation to forecast future episodes, and seismologists watch for earthquakes and subtle changes in the magmatic system. IT specialists ensure data streams remain uninterrupted, and administrative teams keep operations running smoothly and safely. Together, they provide a comprehensive view of this dynamic event.
As of December 15, 2025, the eruption is paused, with intermittent glow visible at the south vent. The summit has been reinflating since Episode 38 ended, and forecasts suggest Episode 39 could begin between December 22 and 27. This eruption is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the raw power and beauty of Hawaiian fountain eruptions. However, it’s crucial to follow safety guidelines posted by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Closed areas are off-limits for a reason—to protect everyone’s safety.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: As we marvel at the spectacle of this eruption, should we also be reevaluating how we balance public access to natural wonders with the inherent risks they pose? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For those eager to learn more, Kīlauea’s episodic summit eruption continues within the caldera, with its USGS Volcano Alert level at WATCH. Episode 38’s 12-hour lava fountaining on December 6 was followed by summit reinflation, and another episode is expected between December 22 and 27. Meanwhile, Maunaloa remains quiet, with its alert level at NORMAL. No significant earthquakes have been reported in the Hawaiian Islands recently.
To stay updated, visit the HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, eruption updates, stunning volcano photos, maps, and more. And remember, while this eruption is a spectacle to behold, it’s also a powerful reminder of nature’s unpredictable force.
