EPISODE 46 Has Begun
HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice
Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Issued: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 8:29 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2026/H205
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii
Volcanic Activity Summary:
Episode 46 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 08:17 a.m. HST on May 5, 2026.
Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate slack winds at ground level. National Weather Service forecasts light and variable winds becoming southeast 5-7 mph this morning. This suggests that volcanic gas emissions and tephra may be distributed throughout the summit region and north/northwest of Halemaʻumaʻu.
- All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles (5 km) of the vents, lighter ash and Pele’s Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
- Support science and community awareness by reporting tephra fall: https://hawaiiash.science/report_form
- Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos that show eruptive lava fountains are available here: https://youtube.com/@usgs/streams
- KPcam and MKcam provide views of the plume height for aviation purposes
- Additional short updates as the episode progresses will be posted here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages
- Timeline of eruptive episodes since December 23, 2024: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/science/eruption-information
Most lava fountaining episodes since December 23, 2024, have continued for a day or less.
