Currently in eruption, Kilauea is unleashing lava through over a dozen fissures, consuming everything in its path—including entire neighborhoods—and forcing thousands to evacuate. At times, lava fountains have soared higher than the torch of New York’s Statue of Liberty.

Believe it or not, this fiery landscape once hosted a golf course. Just east of the visitor center, the remains of the old club still stand, where golfers once stayed overnight. The 19th hole? The volcano’s massive caldera.

The 17th episode of the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea volcano began at 10:15 p.m. HST on April 7, 2025, with lava overflowing from the south vent. The eruption started earlier than expected, as scientists had anticipated it between April 10 and 13. The lava flow was preceded by an increase in glow from the south vent, indicating rising lava levels. By 2:50 a.m. HST on April 8, lava was overflowing, spreading across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, with low spatter fountains reaching 15-30 feet high.

Kīlauea Volcano Update (April 3, 2025)

• Current Status:

  • Alert Level: WATCH

  • Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

  • The ongoing eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu crater (Kīlauea's summit) entered Episode 16 on April 2, 2025, with lava fountaining stopping by noon HST.

The eruption at Kīlauea's summit has paused after Episode 13 ended on March 11. Scientists from the USGS observed and collected samples during a monitoring flight. The eruption caused significant changes in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with lava flows covering over 60% of the crater floor. The USGS Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH, and no changes have been detected in the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

March 7, 2025   The summit eruption of Kīlauea is currently paused, with the USGS Volcano Alert Level set to WATCH. A new episode (Episode 13) is expected within the next 5-7 days, likely involving high lava fountaining from vents within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Since December 23, 2024, Kīlauea has experienced 12 episodes of dual lava fountains. Historical eruptions with similar characteristics include the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption (1983), the Maunaulu eruption (1969), and the Kīlauea Iki eruption (1959).