The 53rd lava fountaining episode from Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:45 p.m. HST on August 12 and continues as of this update.
Peak fountain heights have reached 500 ft (150 m) above ground level between 5:00 and 5:45 p.m. HST. The plume from this eruption is reaching over 18,000 feet above sea level. Ground-level sensors near the eruptive vents indicate that winds are blowing from the northeast carrying SO2 gas along with fine ash and Peleʻs hair to the southwest. Models, NWS data, and satellite images show the plume carrying gas and possibly fine ash and Peleʻs hair westward from the vent area.
Precursory low-level activity for this episode had began around 11:20 a.m. HST on August 12, 2026, with the onset of intermittent lava dome fountaining and overflows from the north vent. A second overflow
began at 11:35 and lasted roughly 4 minutes. Summit inflation is continuing.
All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles (5 km) of the vents, lighter ash and Pele’s Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
Three Kīlauea summit livestream videos that show eruptive lava fountains are available on the HVO’s youtube channel.