Kilauea, located on Hawaii's Big Island, is showing signs of imminent activity, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Summit inflation -- or the physical swelling or uplifting of the ground surface of the volcano's peak -- is underway, it said.

The lava fountains that erupted a week ago on Thursday, May 14, marked the 47th episode of the ongoing Halema‘uma‘u eruption. This episode tied the 1983-1986 initial phase of the Pu‘u ‘O‘o eruption, which had a total of 47 events,

USGS scientists have recently observed low-density tephra produced in recent eruptions become short-lived “Tephra Devils,” spinning like small fiery tornadoes over the volcano’s

While the USGS scientists learned plenty about volcanism in El Salvador during this trip, it also provided key insights to bring home to our own volcanoes. Explosive eruptions in Hawaii are relatively rare, but the ability to correctly interpret their deposits is critical to understanding potential future hazards.

Kīlauea has erupted episodically since Dec. 23, 2024, within the summit caldera. Episode 47 of lava fountaining happened for 9 hours May 14-15. No unusual activity is noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.