JANICE WEI / COURTESY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE / MAY 25
Visitors at the Uekahana observation deck watch lava fountains from “episode 23” of Kilauea volcano’s ongoing eruption in May.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is preparing for Kilauea’s next episode of lava fountaining anticipated to begin next week.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists said this morning that the summit is inflating, and they forecast lava fountains will begin between Monday and April 14.
This will be episode 44 of fountaining in Halemaumau crater as part of the ongoing eruption that began Dec. 23, 2024. Fountaining episodes generally last for less than 12 hours, and are separated by pauses that can last longer than two weeks, scientists say.
Park officials are also alerting visitors that a shift to southerly winds by middle of next week could potentially cause vog and tephra to blanket the summit again.
This occurred during episode 43 on March 10, which resulted in the closure of the summit area.
“Vog is hazardous to everyone, and high levels can cause respiratory distress and illness, especially for sensitive individuals,” HVNP scientists warned in a news release. “Tephra (small glassy volcanic fragments including ash, pumice, Pele hair and reticulite) is an irritant and increases driving hazards. Extreme fallout during episode 43 due to southerly winds and high lava fountains prompted park and Highway 11 closures.”
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Park officials are expecting the usual uptick in visitation and traffic during the next eruption. Additionally, many hula dancers participating in the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo are expected to visit Kilauea to pay respect to Pele.
Officals urge the public to take the following precautions:
>> Monitor park air quality at nps.gov/havo/air-quality-alert.htm. If vog levels are unhealthy or tephra is falling, leave the area.
>> Protect yourself from tephra. Eye protection, a hat, long sleeves, long pants and gloves are recommended. A dust mask will protect you from inhaling tephra but not vog.
>> If hazardous conditions persist, the park may temporarily close impacted areas until it is safe to reopen.
Park managers are monitoring conditions and working with HVO officials, Hawaii County Civil Defense and the National Weather Service to provide updates.
Precursory volcanic activity began Friday morning when the south vent spattered and slowly oozed lava onto Halemaumau crater floor, geologists said.