Kīlauea erupted for the 39th time in a year, beginning around 8:10 p.m. HST and sending lava fountains higher than 1,400 feet from both north and south vents. USGS webcams captured the event, and officials said gas and ash plumes were visible from space, with ash reaching about 20,000 feet and drifting southeast. The episode lasted roughly six hours and ended by 2:13 a.m. HST. Kīlauea remains the Island of Hawaiʻi’s youngest and most active volcano, with lava flows covering nearly 90% of its surface over the last 1,000 years.
Kīlauea Erupts Again: Lava Fountains Jet More Than 1,400 Feet as Ash Reaches 20,000 Feet
This animated image shows lava shooting from inside Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano during its most recent eruptive episode in August, 2025.
Kīlauea, on the Island of Hawaiʻi, erupted again Wednesday night in the latest episode of an ongoing sequence of activity — the 39th recorded eruption in the past year. The event began at about 8:10 p.m. HST and produced dramatic lava fountains and high ash plumes before waning in the early morning hours.
Powerful Fountains and Plumes Captured on Camera
Webcams operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded lava fountains shooting more than 1,400 feet into the air from both the volcano's north and south vents. Officials reported that the eruption generated substantial gas and ash plumes that were visible from space.
“You can see, very subtly, the low-level gas plume drifting to the southwest following low-level winds and spreading to the southern part of the island,” the USGS said. “The higher-level ash plume is much more obvious and reaches 20,000 feet. High-level winds are carrying that material to the southeast.”
Duration, Context and Hazards
The episode lasted roughly six hours and had ended by 2:13 a.m. HST. Many of Kīlauea’s recent eruptive episodes have been brief — often a day or less — with pauses of several days between events. The previous significant episode this month, logged as the 38th, lasted nearly 12 hours.
The National Park Service notes that Kīlauea is the youngest and most active of the Island of Hawaiʻi’s volcanoes. Over the past 1,000 years, lava flows have covered nearly 90% of the volcano’s surface, and the system typically experiences only short repose intervals between eruptive episodes.
What This Means For Residents And Visitors
Large ash and gas plumes can affect air quality and visibility downwind; aviation can also be impacted when ash reaches high altitudes. Authorities advise following guidance from the USGS, the National Park Service, and local emergency management for updates, safety information and any travel advisories.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) webcam observations and statements; National Park Service.
