Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted again on Friday, sending lava fountains soaring 30 metres above its summit crater and spreading molten rock across the crater floor. This marks the 31st eruption since December, underscoring Kilauea’s status as one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
The north vent at Halemaumau Crater began spattering continuously in the morning, followed by lava overflowing a few hours later. By the afternoon, the vent was shooting lava fountains into the air. The eruption remained confined to the summit crater, posing no threat to homes.
A select number of residents and visitors at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park were treated to a front-row view, while hundreds of thousands watched the event online through livestreams provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
“Every eruption feels like I am sitting in the front row at nature's most extraordinary show,” said Park Service volunteer Janice Wei, describing the heat she felt from over a mile away and the roar of molten rock as akin to a jet engine or crashing ocean waves.
The eruption is being fed by a lower magma chamber beneath Halemaumau Crater, which receives magma from deep within the Earth at around 3.8 cubic metres per second, explained Ken Hon, scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The magma inflates the chamber, forcing molten rock into an upper chamber before it reaches the surface through narrow vent pathways.
Since December, magma has followed the same route, making each episode part of a single ongoing eruption. Lava fountains have in some cases shot over 300 metres, driven by gases released as the magma rises.
This type of repeated lava fountaining has occurred at Kilauea only four times in the past 200 years, with similar episodes recorded in 1959, 1969, and a long series beginning in 1983 that lasted three decades.
Also read: Kilauea eruption sends lava fountains 1,000 feet over Hawaii
Predicting future activity remains challenging. Scientists can provide short-term estimates based on seismic sensors and ground movement, which indicate magma inflation or deflation. “Our job is like being a bunch of ants crawling on an elephant trying to figure out how the elephant works,” Hon said.
Recent eruptions have produced lower fountains, which University of Hawaii geology professor Steve Lundblad attributed to the vent widening, reducing magma pressure. “We're still gonna have spectacular eruptions. They're just going to be wider and not as high,” he said.
For many, the eruptions carry cultural and spiritual significance. Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, executive director of the Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation, explained that lava is seen as a natural resource that forms the land. She regularly visits the crater to observe the flows, perform chants, and present offerings such as awa and fern lei.
“You as the dancer, you are the storyteller and you carry that history that was written in those mele forward,” she said. “To be able to actually see that eruption that's described in the mele, that's always exciting to us and drives us and motivates us to stay in this tradition.”
Park visitation has increased throughout the year, partly due to the eruptions. April 2025 saw a 49% rise in visitors compared with the same month in 2024. Authorities caution visitors to stay on marked trails, supervise children, and be aware of unstable cliffs, volcanic gases, ash, and other hazards.
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