Kilauea's 54th eruptive episode begins, north vent reaches 500 feet

Aug 25, 2026

Kilauea is erupting again on Hawaii Island, a dramatic but expected event that mainly means ash and air-quality problems for nearby communities.

  • The 54th episode of the ongoing eruption started mid-morning and was still going.
  • Lava fountains shot up to 500 feet and threw out a moderate amount of debris.
  • People in Pahala and Kaʻū are told to guard against fine ash and Pele's hair, the thin glass strands the fountains create.
  • The eruption cycle has been running in on-and-off bursts since December 2024.

Outlook: More short episodes are likely, with ashfall warnings for downwind towns each time.

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