Kilauea Shoots 400‑Foot Lava Fountains — 37th Event Since Last December

Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island resumed intermittent eruptions Tuesday, launching lava fountains about 400 feet (122 meters) high. The USGS said the activity remained inside the summit caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and did not threaten homes. This marks the 37th such event since last December; episodes usually last a day or less with several days between bursts. Scientists attribute the tall jets to gas‑rich magma rising through narrow, pipe‑like vents.

06:53 PM, 11/26/2025Environment

Kilauea Shoots 400‑Foot Lava Fountains — 37th Event Since Last December

Kilauea on Hawai‘i’s Big Island resumed intermittent eruptive activity Tuesday, sending fountains of lava roughly 400 feet (122 meters) into the air from its summit caldera. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the molten material remained confined within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and that no homes were threatened.

This was the 37th lava‑fountaining event since the current eruptive phase began last December. Recent episodes typically last about a day or less, with pauses of several days between bursts; the latest activity followed sporadic spattering and overflows that started Friday.

Why the fountains are so tall

Scientists say unusually tall lava jets result from gas‑rich magma rising through narrow, pipe‑like vents. As gases expand during ascent, they propel molten rock higher, producing dramatic, skyscraper‑high fountains.

Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and one of six currently active volcanoes in Hawaii. It sits on Hawaii Island, the largest of the archipelago, roughly 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Honolulu on Oahu.

Safety note: The U.S. Geological Survey and local authorities continue to monitor conditions closely. Visitors should follow park guidance and respect any area closures or safety advisories.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Kilauea Shoots 400‑Foot Lava Fountains — 37th Event Since Last December

Why the fountains are so tall

Similar Articles

Kīlauea Lava Fountains Reach Up to 1,100 Feet in Episode 36, USGS Says

Kilauea Erupts Again — Lava Rockets About 400 Feet Into the Air

Kīlauea Poised for Spectacular High Lava Fountains — USGS Says Episode 36 Could Begin Within Days

Kīlauea Poised to Erupt Again — USGS Warns Episode 37 Could Arrive by Tuesday

4.6-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Hawaii’s Big Island Near Kīlauea — No Tsunami or Damage Reported

13 American Volcanoes Closely Monitored for Sudden Eruptions

Six Volcanoes Scientists Are Watching — From Local Hazards to Global Risks

Sakurajima Erupts Near Kagoshima — Ash Plumes Reach 4,400m; Dozens of Flights Cancelled

Why Some Volcanoes Ooze Instead of Exploding: Shear Forces Can Let Gas Escape

Mount Semeru Erupts in East Java: Ash, Lava Flows and Mass Evacuations

Over 170 Climbers Rescued After Sudden Eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Semeru

Scientists Link 25,000 Santorini Quakes to Wave-Like Magma Intrusion

Iceland's 2026 Mission: Drilling into a Magma Chamber for Direct Measurements and Near‑Magma Power

Poás Volcano: Costa Rica’s Mars-like 'Paradise' for Extreme Microbes

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts for First Time in ~12,000 Years, Sends Ash Plumes Nine Miles High

Mount Semeru Erupts, Sends 6,500‑ft Ash Plume; 300+ Evacuated as Red Aviation Alert Issued

Superhot-Rock Geothermal at Newberry Volcano Could Supercharge U.S. Clean Power

Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia Erupts After ~12,000 Years, Sending Ash Plume Nine Miles High

Lake Naivasha Surges 1.5 km Inland — Thousands Displaced as Homes, Schools and Farms Flood

New Oregon Quake Is a Warning: Cascadia’s ‘Great Quake’ Could Redraw the Coastline Overnight

Trending