Kilauea Eruption Episode 33 starting soon (for those in BI currently or visiting soon)...

[mountainboy]

*May watch the updates or sign up for their alerts, as below

Kīlauea - Volcano Updates

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issues Volcano Updates for Kīlauea as activity warrants.

www.usgs.gov

Kilauea - Volcano Messages

This page displays the latest volcano observatory short messages for Kīlauea volcano. These short messages are quick status updates published on our website, social media, RSS and JSON. They supplement more detailed official products published in the Volcano Notification Service.

www.usgs.gov

'Summit inflation continues and episode 33 lava fountaining is likely in the next 1-4 days. Models suggest episode 33 is likely to begin between September 17 (today) and 20 but could start later if the rate of inflation decreases. Glow was visible from the north and south vents in the livestream overnight, and gas pistoning has caused several small vent overflows this morning 8:38 AM HST marking the start of intermittent precursory eruptive activity'.

Mahalo!

 

[JIMinNC]

It’s also important to note that the four most recent eruptive episodes have only lasted around 12 to 13 hours, and the 11 episodes prior to that ranged from 4 hrs to 11 hrs. The last episode to last longer than about 13 hours was episode 17 back in April.

So, if you are on the island over the next few days, you need to check the Hawaii Volcano Observatory web livestreams frequently and be ready to drop everything and drive to the park on a moment’s notice. Crowds and traffic will quickly build as word gets around.

Back in February, we were lucky enough to be on the island when episode 8 began on Feb 3. I happened to check the web stream right before bedtime that night and saw that the eruption had started about 10pm. We left Waikoloa at dawn on the 4th and, because the eruption started so late in the previous evening, were able to make it to the park before the bigger crowds arrived. When we arrived, there were still parking spots in the Devastation Trail parking lot, but by the time we left, people were waiting for departures to find a spot. That eruption ended later on Feb 4 at around 7pm.

This is what we saw. Many of the more recent episodes have had much taller fountains, but not all. The cooled lava level in the crater has also risen significantly.

 

[mountainboy]

*Modest bumps thus far; anticipate them increasing to fountaining soon...
Mahalo!

Kilauea Message 2025-09-17 18:37:43 HST
Spattering and flames are putting on a show from the north vent at dusk, though sporadic, spattering and flames have occurred all afternoon. Five small periods of precursory overflows occurred between 8:38 and 11:38 AM HST this morning.
Kilauea Message 2025-09-17 09:09:34 HST
Gas pistoning continued in the north vent and intermittently in the south vent. Small north vent overflows occurred at 8:38 AM and 8:59 AM HST during gas pistoning cycles. The new window for the start of episode 33 is Sept 17-20.
Kilauea Message 2025-09-16 17:37:55 HST
The appearance of magma within the north vent suggests that episode 33 might arrive earlier than tilt-based models predict (episode 32 showed similar behavior also). Revised models suggest episode 33 is likely to start between 17-20 Sept.
Kilauea Message 2025-09-16 16:01:40 HST
Starting at 10:47 AM HST today, there have been 13 gas pistoning events at the north vent. Magma rises and becomes visible in the vent; rapid drainback is marked by small spatter fountains and a spike in seismic tremor 10-15 min apart.

 

[mountainboy]

 

[TheHolleys87]

It’s also important to note that the four most recent eruptive episodes have only lasted around 12 to 13 hours, and the 11 episodes prior to that ranged from 4 hrs to 11 hrs. The last episode to last longer than about 13 hours was episode 17 back in April.

Yes. I get the daily emails, and it seems to me that this eruption is waning. I just hope it lasts long enough for our late-October visit. We have one night in crater-view rooms at Volcano House, and if we can at least see a glow in the distance, I’ll be happy.

 

[JIMinNC]

Yes. I get the daily emails, and it seems to me that this eruption is waning. I just hope it lasts long enough for our late-October visit. We have one night in crater-view rooms at Volcano House, and if we can at least see a glow in the distance, I’ll be happy.

We stayed at Volcano House in 2022 when there was a non-fountaining eruption going on, and you can definitely see the glow from there. But if there is any eruptive activity going on when you are there, you should plan to go to the Keanakako’i Overlook. Park in the Devastation Trail parking lot (about a 5-7 minute drive) and then walk about 0.75 miles down a closed paved road to the overlook. That’s the spot from which I took the pictures I posted in post #2 above, as well as this shot from 2022:

Below is the view from Volcano House that same evening. We could only see glow, no lava, but now that the crater floor has risen due to subsequent eruptions, and if the vents are fountaining, I believe you can see the lava fountains from volcano house. The best view though is still the Keanakako’i Overlook.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Jim, that is a gorgeous picture of the strands of lava pouring down. It's breathtaking in person, I am sure.

 

[JIMinNC]

Jim, that is a gorgeous picture of the strands of lava pouring down. It's breathtaking in person, I am sure.

Thanks. When a friend of mine saw that picture one time, he said, “You didn’t see Anakin Skywalker lying around there anywhere did you?” I laughed because it had never struck me that it looked a lot like some of the molten lava scenes in Return of the Jedi.

 

[ScoopKona]

When the episodes start in the middle of the night, getting to the park is easy. Even during an eruptive episode, most tourists lollygag around, rolling out of bed at the crack of noon, getting a long breakfast someplace. And then they all hit the road at the exact same time and create a 10-mile-long traffic jam on the only road to VNP.

I have a friend who lives near the park who gets hit with this entirely too often.

This is very much a case of "the early bird gets the worm."

 

[mountainboy]

This is very much a case of "the early bird gets the worm."

if there is any eruptive activity going on when you are there, you should plan to go to the Keanakako’i Overlook

100% @ScoopKona !
Was beautiful this early morning! (we left shortly after posting my last screenshot this morning)...
(My iPhone) Pictures don't do justice, so not posting but was phenomenal!

It was fairly cold, rainy & windy this morning, esp on the Kilauea Iki & Keanakako’i Overlook side @JIMinNC! Drier but still cold & windy on the Kilauea Overlook side. The views were spectacular right from the Kilauea overlook: walk towards the left as you get towards the 'rim', the view from just the straight up path are not nice (& obstructed by the cliff); from the left (a little higher up), one sees the lava flows beautifully.

We met a local lady Ellen, who was very helpful & comes there everyday (early morning, to hike & see how things are with Kilauea); very helpful (Mahalo Ellen!). Per Ellen, things are nuttier on Tuesdays ('cruise ship day') + weekends & holidays + daytime, when all tourists wake up & roll in, as per @ScoopKona! (so best to avoid those times).

Took about 2hrs from Waikoloa (KL/Bay Club HGVC) to Kilauea overlook. There were no NPS attendants at the park gate at that hour (although we have our NP pass; presume they would have automated pay stations/iron rangers there)

No crowds at that hour (although many folks), plenty of parking at the time.

Bring lots of layers if going in middle of night or early morning + rain poncho or rainproof clothing (if one has none, may bring your towel or blanket from one's TS, as a layer to keep warm) + bring some coffee/tea to keep warm.

We did get some coffee from the Coffee house at the Kilauea Military camp (Java Cafe' or Crater rim Cafe') on our way out as Volcano House was closed at the time. (Visitor center is closed with the construction). Restroom at the Kilauea overlook was locked for some reason; there were Hawaii Johns (port-a-pottys) at Uekahuna overlook (although not a nice view of the eruption here, due to the cliff being in the way). With the cool temps & wind + coffee = Got-to-go..

it seems to me that this eruption is waning. I just hope it lasts long enough for our late-October visit

From USGS/NPS website: 'Lava fountaining episodes have occurred approximately once per week since the start of the current eruption on December 23, 2024'.

So, @TheHolleys87 , you should be good & likely will have an eruption around the time, you will be here too...
It is special & highly recommended!

Hope these tips help some folks!
Mahalo!

 

[TheHolleys87]

How far past the Military Camp can you drive now? You can’t get as far as where the Jaeger Museum was, or can you?

 

[mountainboy]

How far past the Military Camp can you drive now?

Only until Uekahuna overlook (which is right after Kilauea overlook).
Mahalo!

 

[mountainboy]

*Kilauea Visitor Center closed currently but welcome center open at Kilauea Military Camp...
Mahalo!

 

[TheHolleys87]

I just got the email that episode 33 started - https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates.

 

[mountainboy]