Precursory overflows began from the north vent at 3:52 a.m KILAUEA (VNUM #332010) 19°25’16” N 155°17’13” W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

KILAUEA (VNUM #332010)
19°25’16” N 155°17’13” W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Activity Summary:

Precursory overflows began from the north vent at 3:52 a.m. HST and continued since then. The forecast based on inflationary tilt models for the onset of the next lava fountaining episode is most likely today, January 24, or possibly tommorrow, January 25, if inflation is interrupted. Micro-seismicity continues in the summit region, but is much less energetic than earlier this week. No significant activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

Significant changes in activity between Daily Updates are posted here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages

Summit Observations:                                                                                                                        

Webcam views of Halemaʻumaʻu showed consistent strong glow from both the north and south vents, with frequent spattering at flames from the north vent until early morning. Spattering increased in intensity and the north vent began overflowing at 3:52 a.m. HST. Low fountains increased in height to 10-15 feet (3-5 meters) and effusion rate from the north vent at about 4:47 a.m. HST and overflows increased in size. The north vent has remained continuously active since the onset of overflows. The south vent has overflowed eight times this morning (4:11, 5:18, 6:13, 6:28, 6:40, 6:57, 7:14, 7:22 a.m. HST). The first four were short-lived and remained close to the vent. The four latest overflows were larger lasting 10-15 minutes and sent flows out onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Constant low-level tremor continues this morning.

There was only one very short period of elevated micro-seismicity occurred over the past day at around 8:30 p.m. HST January 23, but it had no impact on tilt rate at UWD. Only eight earthquakes were large enough to be located over the past 24 hours (all magnitude 1 or less) beneath the summit. Earthquake locations continue to be spread fairly widely beneath the summit region, as the seismicity is related to migrating magmatic pressure within the summit region. Currently, seismic events donʻt appear to be having a direct impact on the eruption. For more information see prior Daily Updates and this Information Statement for more details: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans-public/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-01-23T03:39:44+00:00.

Since the end of episode 40, the UWD tiltmeter has recorded 18.5 microradians of inflationary tilt, with net 1.6 microradians of inflation over the past 24 hours. The one small period of micro-seismicity had no impact on the tilt at UWD.

The sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rate from the summit was last measured on January 14 at 1,550 tonnes per day, which is within the typical range of 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes of SO₂ per day observed during previous eruptive pauses. This is considerably lower than rates observed during lava fountaining episodes. Current winds at the summit are light and variable with plumes rising nearly vertically. The NWS predicts light winds from the east and southeast today, suggesting that plumes might move to the west and northwest if episode 41 begins today.

Rift Zone Observations:

Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain very low in the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. SO₂ emissions from the East Rift Zone remain below the detection limit.

Analysis:

The rapid rebound of inflationary tilt, glow and spatter from the vents, and presence of low-level volcanic tremor after episode 40 indicate that another lava fountaining episode is likely. Everything currently points to resumption of fountaining episodes rather than a change in vent location. The continued repressurization of the Halemaʻumaʻu magma reservoir, continuous lava flows from the north vent all indicate episode 41 fountaining will take place in the next day. While seismic swarms continue, their intensity is reduced as well as their impact on reinflation of the summit. Models and activity indicate the onset of episode 41 lava fountaining is most likely to occur today January 24 with a slight possibility of tomorrow, January 25, if inflation is interupted by a significant seismic swarm or other event.

Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, primarily from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u. Eruptive episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be as long as over two weeks.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency about eruptive hazards.

Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm