Kilauea volcano records 48th fountaining episode

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano began its 48th fountaining episode early Monday, setting a new record for the number of such events in a single eruption period. The latest activity commenced at the summit within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at approximately 4:40 a.m. local time, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Geologists confirmed this episode marks the highest tally of discrete lava-fountaining periods since the current eruption sequence began in December 2024, surpassing a previous record of 47 episodes set during a multi-year eruption in the 1980s. Katie Mulliken, a geologist and spokesperson for the observatory, explained that while these episodes are separated by pauses with little to no lava flow, they are considered part of the same overall eruption because the lava originates from the same summit vents.

The north vent was reported as particularly active, with fountaining observed reaching heights between 500 and 650 feet. Officials also noted occasional overflows from the south vent. The eruption column reached approximately 24,000 feet above sea level. In response to the activity, the National Weather Service issued an Ashfall Advisory, warning that volcanic particles...