Kilauea Volcano Erupts Again: Live Updates as Lava Flows Threaten Hawaii Communities

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is catching global attention again as scientists warn that a fresh burst of lava fountains—dubbed “episode 37”—could ignite between November 21 and 25. Although the summit eruption is currently paused, tiltmeters show steady inflation of the magma chamber, glow persists at both summit vents, and seismic tremor pulses every 5–10 minutes—classic signals that magma is on the move beneath Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Episode 36 ended on November 9 after hurling lava 1,200 feet into the air and carpeting roughly 80 percent of the crater floor with 11 million cubic yards of molten rock, temporarily thrilling park visitors and livestream audiences worldwide. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has kept Kilauea at an orange aviation alert and “Watch” ground status, meaning an eruption could resume with little warning. Key takeaways for travelers and residents • Where to watch safely: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park remains open, but areas around the summit vents are closed. Rangers recommend viewing from Kīlauea Overlook, Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) and online webcams for real-time lava and gas scenes. • Health precautions: SO₂ emissions during pauses hover around 1,200–1,500 tonnes per day and will spike once fountains restart; vog can irritate lungs and obscure visibility downwind. Visitors with asthma should pack masks and medications. • Pele’s hair alert: Fine volcanic glass fibers can drift more than 10 miles. Shake clothing outdoors and cover water catchment tanks to avoid contamination. • Road impacts: High winds occasionally blow ash and glassy fragments onto Highway 11; drivers should keep headlights on and windows closed. Why Kilauea’s episodic eruptions matter Since December 2024 the volcano has produced 36 discrete high-lava episodes, each starting with rapid summit deflation, hours of dramatic fountains, and an equally swift switch to inflation as magma re-pressurizes. Geologists compare the pattern to the early 1980s Puʻuʻōʻō events, suggesting this summit cycle may continue for months. The stop-and-go behavior boosts tourism yet complicates hazard planning, as pauses lull onlookers before the next fiery display. What to expect next USGS models indicate that if current inflation persists, lava could again jet hundreds of feet high, filling more of Halemaʻumaʻu’s floor and possibly overflowing onto the southwest caldera. Scientists will watch for a sharp tilt reversal, increased tremor, and gas surges—typical harbingers that lava is breaking the surface. Residents should sign up for Volcano Notification Service alerts and keep N95 masks, eye protection, and sturdy shoes ready. Bottom line Kilauea’s pause is only the calm between eruptions. With magma pressure mounting and historic patterns repeating, Hawai‘i is likely days away from another breathtaking but hazardous lava show. Travelers chasing volcano views should monitor USGS updates and heed park closures, while locals brace for vog, Pele’s hair, and traffic surges when episode 37 lights up the night sky.