Kilauea Volcano Eruption Update: Surging Lava Flows, Evacuation Orders & Air Travel Advisories Today

HILO, Hawaii — Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, roared back to life late Sunday, May 25, unleashing spectacular lava fountains that soared up to 1,000 feet above Halemaʻumaʻu crater and painting the night sky a fiery orange. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) confirmed that Episode 23 of the ongoing 2024–25 summit eruption began at 10:25 p.m. HST and continued through the early hours of Memorial Day, sending molten rock cascading down the crater walls and generating billowing gas-and-steam plumes visible across Hawai‘i Island. Eye-catching lava domes and surface flows spread across nearly 200 acres of the crater floor, reigniting interest from residents, scientists, and tourists alike. Drone footage released by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park showed incandescent rivers of lava snaking across previously cooled crust, while thermal cameras registered vent temperatures above 2,100 °F. CBS News reports that multiple vents opened simultaneously, producing “lava geysers” that rocketed hundreds of feet into the air. Although the eruption is currently confined to the summit caldera, HVO maintains an ORANGE/WATCH aviation alert, warning pilots of ash bursts that could rise thousands of feet and drift downwind. Volcanic gas output jumped to an estimated 15,000 tons of sulfur dioxide per day, prompting the Hawai‘i Department of Health to issue an air-quality advisory for Ka‘ū and Puna districts. Officials urge sensitive groups to limit outdoor activity when vog (volcanic smog) levels spike. Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane said all major overlooks remain open, but rangers are managing crowd control as holiday-weekend visitors flock to vantage points along Crater Rim Drive. “The viewing is phenomenal right now, but conditions can change without warning,” she reminded travelers. USA Today notes that lava viewing areas can close at any time if vent activity migrates closer to trails or if toxic gas concentrations rise. Geologists attribute the latest outburst to a surge of magma from beneath Kīlauea’s summit reservoir, pressurizing fissures opened during last December’s reawakening. Similar episodes this year have lasted anywhere from 13 hours to eight days, so scientists cannot yet predict how long the current display will continue. They are also monitoring Kīlauea’s south flank for seismic swarms that could hint at a shift toward flank eruption, which would pose greater threats to communities lower on the volcano. Despite the drama, there is no immediate danger to populated areas, and flights to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport are operating normally. Big Island tourism officials are seizing the moment to promote safe volcano viewing, reminding visitors to stay on marked trails, wear sturdy shoes, and bring N95 masks or cloth coverings to help filter volcanic particles. Fast facts for travelers and residents: • Where to watch: Kīlauea Overlook, Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge), and Keanakākoʻi are offering the best night-time glow. • Park hours: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open 24/7; entrance fee $30 per private vehicle. • Air-quality updates: Check HVO and HawaiiSO2 network before heading out. • Safety tips: Keep 100 feet from cliff edges, never enter closed zones, and carry a flashlight for post-sunset hikes. Kīlauea’s fiery spectacle offers a rare, awe-inspiring window into Earth’s inner workings—one that continues to shape Hawai‘i’s landscape and draw global fascination. Stay tuned for real-time eruption updates, road closures, and vog advisories as the volcano writes its next chapter.