🌋 Kīlauea Eruption Status
ADVISORYLive Kīlauea eruption status & updates from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory — For informational & educational purposes only
Source: USGS Kīlauea Volcano — All data from USGS/HVO. Not affiliated with USGS.
🚨 Volcano Status
Volcano is showing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels.
Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest. Limited ash emissions possible.
USGS update: Thursday, May 28, 2026, 8:57 AM HST
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📋 Activity Summary
- ▸Alert level is ADVISORY, aviation color code is YELLOW.
- ▸The rapid return of inflationary tilt and glow from both Halemaʻumaʻu eruptive vents indicates that another lava fountaining episode is likely.
- ▸Forecast models based on summit tilt and seismic velocity indicate that episode 48 fountains are most likely between today and Saturday (May 28-30), but changes to the inflation rate or periods of deflation may push that window out further.
Full USGS analysis
The rapid return of inflationary tilt and glow from both Halemaʻumaʻu eruptive vents indicates that another lava fountaining episode is likely. Lava spattering and overflows from one or both of the eruptive vents are expected to precede the next lava fountaining episode. Forecast models based on summit tilt and seismic velocity indicate that episode 48 fountains are most likely between today and Saturday (May 28-30), but changes to the inflation rate or periods of deflation may push that window out further. The forecast window may change as more data are incorporated into the models.Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u. Lava fountaining episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be longer than three weeks.HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency about eruptive hazards.Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
📐 Summit Tilt — Past 3 Months
What is tilt? Electronic tiltmeters measure tiny changes in the slope of the ground near the volcano's summit. Think of it like a very sensitive carpenter's level. → Learn more about tilt monitoring
Why it matters: When magma moves into the reservoir beneath the summit, the ground inflates (tilts upward). Rapid inflation often precedes eruption episodes. Deflation during eruption shows magma leaving the reservoir. The pattern of inflation → eruption → deflation repeats with each fountaining episode.
Source: USGS Monitoring Data
📷 Summit Webcam
V1cam — West Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Image refreshes periodically at source.
Source: USGS Webcams
📷 View all live webcams →📊 Timeline of Eruptive Episodes
| # | Start (HST) | Pause (HST) | Duration | Pause After | Height (m) | Vol (Mm³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | May 14, 2026 - 3:27 p.m. | May 15, 2026 - 12:27 a.m. | 9 hours | TBD | 200 | 5.2 |
| 46 | May 5, 2026 - 8:17 a.m. | May 5, 2026 - 5:22 p.m. | 9 hours | 9 days | 200 | 4.6 |
| 45 | April 23, 2026 - 1:34 a.m. | April 23, 2026 - 10:01 a.m. | 8.5 hours | 12 days | 265 | 5.2 |
| 44 | April 9, 2026 - 11:10 a.m. | April 9, 2026 - 7:41 p.m. | 8.5 hours | 15 days | 240 | 5.8 |
| 43 | March 10, 2026 - 9:17 a.m. | March 10, 2026 - 6:21 p.m. | 9 hours | 30 days | 540 | 11.9 |
| 42 | February 15, 2026 - 1:50 p.m. | February 15, 2026 - 11:38 p.m. | 10 hours | 22 days | 400 (may update) | 11.6 |
| 41 | January 24, 2026 - 11:10 a.m. | January 24, 2026 - 7:29 p.m. | 8 hours | 22 days | 450 | 10.6 |
| 40 | January 12, 2026 - 8:22 a.m. | January 12, 2026 - 6:04 p.m. | 10 hours | 12 days | 250 | 5.5 |
| 39 | December 23, 2025 - 8:10 p.m. | December 24, 2025 - 2:13 a.m. | 6 hours | 19 days | 407 | 9.3 |
| 38 | December 6, 2025 - 8:45 a.m. | December 6, 2025 - 8:52 p.m. | 12 hours | 17 days | 384 | 12.1 |
Source: USGS Eruption Information — All times HST. Data preliminary and subject to revision.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Kīlauea eruption?
Episode 43 ended on March 10, 2026. Kīlauea is currently in a pause between episodes. Scientists estimate the next eruption window by tracking summit tilt, seismicity, and GPS ground deformation. See the live forecast module above for the latest prediction, updated every 5 minutes from USGS HVO data.
Learn about eruptions, planning a visit, safety, and more
View FAQ →🗺️ Best Viewing Area
Lava can be seen at numbered areas listed below. Park at designated overlooks and parking areas for the best views of the eruption.
Source: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
📍 See detailed descriptions of each viewing area →