KILAUEA (VNUM #332010) UPDATE Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

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

Activity Summary: 

• Episode 46 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 5:22 p.m. HST on May 5, 2026, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining, primarily from the north vent. The eruption is currently paused.
• Tephra fell outside of the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park along the north rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), on Highway 11 between mile markers 30 and 34, and in adjacent communities. Tephra as large as 6 inches (15 centimeters) was observed falling on Highway 11 in the national park, and fine ash and Peleʻs hair were reported as far away as Mountain View.

Episode 46 Chronology:

Episode 46 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began at 8:17 a.m. on May 5 and stopped at 5:22 p.m. HST the same day, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining from the north vent. The south vent never fountained during this episode, but it displayed periodic gas jetting and flames. The highest peak of instantaneous effusion rate of just over 310 cubic yards (240 cubic meters) per second occurred around 9:50 a.m. HST on May 5. Episode 46 saw an average effusion rate of 180 cubic yards (140 cubic meters) per second. An estimated 6 million cubic yards (4.6 million cubic meters) of lava erupted and covered about 60% of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWD) recorded about 14 microradians of deflationary tilt during episode 46.

Episode 46 lava fountaining began approximately 19 hours after the onset of precursory lava overflows on afternoon of May 4. There were about 45 precursory overflows including about 24 from the north vent and about 21 from the south vent. Low-level dome fountaining from the north vent began at 8:17 a.m. HST this morning, and grew in vigor and height. South vent had one short-lived dome fountain and overflow after the onset of north vent fountaining, and subsequently had periodic gas jetting and flames. North vent fountains grew steadily until their peak between 10 and 10:30 a.m. HST. The main body of the fountains reached heights of 650 feet (200 m). After their peak, fountain height gradually decreased and were about 160 feet (50 meters) high just before the episode ended abruptly at 5:22 p.m. HST.

The north vent lava fountain produced significant heat and ash, feeding a plume that reached a maximum height of about 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level based on radar data reported by the National Weather Service and Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center. Light winds from the southeast directed the lower plume and tephra fall toward the north and northwest of Halemaʻumaʻu. Higher level winds directed the upper plume toward the north and northeast. At 8:52 a.m., the National Weather Service issued an ashfall advisory for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and areas to the north and northeast, including the communities of Volcano and Mountain View. This ashfall advisory is currently in effect until 8:00 p.m. HST. Tephra fell outside of the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park along the north rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), on Highway 11 between mile markers 30 and 34, and in adjacent communities. Tephra as large as 6 inches (15 centimeters) was observed falling on Highway 11, and fine ash and Peleʻs hair were reported as far away as Mountain View.

Earthquake activity during episode 46 was minor. Levels of seismic tremor rose and fell with fountaining and are now at typical levels for eruption pause.

Hazard Analysis: 

• Volcanic Gas: water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are continuously released during an eruption. SO₂ reacts in the atmosphere to create the visible haze known as vog (volcanic smog) downwind, which may cause respiratory and other problems. Further information on vog can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/
• Tephra: small glassy volcanic fragments—volcanic ash, pumice, scoria, Pele’s hair and reticulite—are created by the lava fountains. A combination of fountaining dynamics and wind conditions determines where tephra fall may occur for any given eruption episode. Larger particles fall near the vents while light particles may be wafted greater distances. These particles may be remobilized during windy conditions following recent eruptive episodes. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to these fragments, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. More information and guidance on tephra fall hazards is available at the links below:
  • https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/resource-and-guidance-for-volcanic-tephra-fall/
  • https://vog.ivhhn.org/sites/default/files/PelesHair_FAQs_v2.pdf
• Lava flows: generally advance slowly downslope, and during this eruption flows have been confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea’s summit caldera.
• Other: significant hazards exist around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes. Close to the vents, the tephra material on the crater rim is prone to cracking, slumping, and small landslides that sometimes expose hot and molten material within. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of Kīlauea’s caldera rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since late 2007.