UPDATED 10:15 a.m.
Episode 44 ended at 7:41 p.m. Thursday night, after 8.5 hours of continuous lava fountaining from Halemaʻumaʻu’s north vent, sending tephra to the north into public areas of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and into surrounding communities.
See the citizen-reported tephra fall map for episode 44 at hawaiiash.science/reports_map.
At this time, there is not enough information to develop a detailed forecast window for the next episode, according to HVO.
From 3:43 p.m. Thursday
As of 2 p.m., the north vent lava fountain was reaching about 700 feet in height and was feeding a plume of ash and gas above.
The plume was hitting strong southerly winds about 3,000 feet above ground level, and these winds were transporting a narrow band of gas and tephra to the north-northeast of Halemaʻumaʻu, according to HVO.
Tephra fallout was strongest in the direction of Kilauea Military Camp and the Volcano Golf Course subdivision, with pieces of lightweight reticulite up to 12 inches reported falling in these areas. Tephra fall also was reported near Volcano House within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The volcanic plume was moving northward and widening over a large section of East Hawaii, according to HVO. These areas may expect fine ashfall consisting of Peleʻs hair and small glassy particles.
The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall warning for much of East Hawaii.
NWS and Hawaii County Civil Defense encourage residents to remain inside with windows closed and to disconnect water catchment tanks, if possible.
PREVIOUSLY
Episode 44 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano began at 11:10 a.m. this morning.
Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate that winds are blowing from the south, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the north from Halemaʻumaʻu, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is now closed.
Tephra fall — fine glass particles that may irritate the skin and eyes — from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles of the vents, but lighter ash and Pele’s hair can stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
Due to the eruption, Highway 11 is closed from the 25.5 mile marker in Puna to the 40 mile marker in Ka‘u.
Motorists please avoid the area.
Most lava fountaining episodes since Dec. 23, 2024, have continued for a day or less.