The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Kilauea volcano began the main fountaining event of episode 23 on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. The eruption paused abruptly later that day at 10:25 p.m.

The current eruption, which began on Dec. 23, 2024, has already produced 22 episodes of lava fountaining, each separated by brief pauses in activity. These spectacular bursts of lava originate from two vents within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater: the north vent and the south vent.

This episode was particularly awe-inspiring as high lava fountains erupted from both vents. Lava fountains from the north vent reached heights of more than 1,000 feet, while lava fountains from the south vent reached heights more than 800 feet.

The eruptive plume was heavily laden with tephra (ash, scoria, and Pele’s hair) and reached at least 5,000 feet in height, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Lava flows from the episode covered about half of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. 

The U.S. Geological Survey-operated agency warned that emissions of volcanic gas — a mix of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide — may be elevated. As sulfur dioxide is released from the eruption, it will react in the atmosphere to create the visible haze known as vog. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are about 50,000 t/d during fountaining events.

Also, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory noted visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and residents of nearby areas should watch out for Pele’s hair and other small fragments of volcanic glass and tephra carried in the plume, as they were during previous episodes.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.