A new eruption episode at Kilauea's summit is actively sending lava fountains high into the sky, a notable but routine event for residents and visitors near the volcano.

• Lava fountains began just after noon and are reaching heights of about 650 feet.
• The ash and gas plume has risen to about 18,000 feet above sea level.
• Winds are blowing volcanic debris (tephra) south-southwest, toward an area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that is already closed to the public.
• This is the 56th such fountaining episode in the ongoing eruption sequence, suggesting the volcano remains in an active, repeating cycle.

Outlook: The episode is expected to continue for some time, with monitoring agencies tracking fountain height and ash dispersal as winds carry debris toward the closed park zone.