🌋 Kīlauea Eruption Status
ADVISORYLive Kīlauea eruption status & updates from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory — For informational & educational purposes only
Source: USGS Kīlauea Volcano — All data from USGS/HVO. Not affiliated with USGS.
🚨 Volcano Status
Episode 46 Forecast
May 2 – 6
🌋 ~4 days until eruption
⚠️ window may be adjusted based on changes to the rate of summit inflation
Volcano is showing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels.
Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest. Limited ash emissions possible.
USGS update: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 8:54 AM HST
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📋 Activity Summary
- ▸Kīlauea is currently paused, but another fountaining episode is likely
- ▸Rapid return of inflationary tilt and strong glow observed
- ▸Forecast window for Episode 46 is May 2–6
- ▸Window may be adjusted based on summit inflation rate
Full USGS analysis
The rapid return of inflationary tilt and strong glow from both Halemaʻumaʻu eruptive vents indicates that another lava fountaining episode is likely. The current forecast window is based on data from summit tiltmeters and suggests that episode 46 will occur between Saturday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 6. This window may be adjusted based on changes to the rate of summit inflation as measured by summit tiltmeters.Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u. Lava fountaining episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be longer than three weeks.HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency about eruptive hazards.Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
📐 Summit Tilt — Past 3 Months
What is tilt? Electronic tiltmeters measure tiny changes in the slope of the ground near the volcano's summit. Think of it like a very sensitive carpenter's level. → Learn more about tilt monitoring
Why it matters: When magma moves into the reservoir beneath the summit, the ground inflates (tilts upward). Rapid inflation often precedes eruption episodes. Deflation during eruption shows magma leaving the reservoir. The pattern of inflation → eruption → deflation repeats with each fountaining episode.
Source: USGS Monitoring Data
📷 Summit Webcam
V1cam — West Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Image refreshes periodically at source.
Source: USGS Webcams
📷 View all live webcams →📊 Timeline of Eruptive Episodes
| # | Start (HST) | Pause (HST) | Duration | Pause After | Height (m) | Vol (Mm³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | April 23, 2026 - 1:34 a.m. | April 23, 2026 - 10:01 a.m. | 8.5 hours | TBD | 265 | 5.2 |
| 44 | April 9, 2026 - 11:10 a.m. | April 9, 2026 - 7:41 p.m. | 8.5 hours | 15 days | 240 | 5.8 |
| 43 | March 10, 2026 - 9:17 a.m. | March 10, 2026 - 6:21 p.m. | 9 hours | 30 days | 540 | 11.9 |
| 42 | February 15, 2026 - 1:50 p.m. | February 15, 2026 - 11:38 p.m. | 10 hours | 22 days | 400 (may update) | 11.6 |
| 41 | January 24, 2026 - 11:10 a.m. | January 24, 2026 - 7:29 p.m. | 8 hours | 22 days | 450 | 10.6 |
| 40 | January 12, 2026 - 8:22 a.m. | January 12, 2026 - 6:04 p.m. | 10 hours | 12 days | 250 | 5.5 |
| 39 | December 23, 2025 - 8:10 p.m. | December 24, 2025 - 2:13 a.m. | 6 hours | 19 days | 407 | 9.3 |
| 38 | December 6, 2025 - 8:45 a.m. | December 6, 2025 - 8:52 p.m. | 12 hours | 17 days | 384 | 12.1 |
| 37 | November 25, 2025 - 2:30 p.m. | November 25, 2025 - 11:39 p.m. | 9 hours | 10 days | 174 | 6.0 |
| 36 | November 9, 2025 - 11:15 a.m. | November 9, 2025 - 4:16 p.m. | 5 hours | 16 days | 386 | 8.1 |
Source: USGS Eruption Information — All times HST. Data preliminary and subject to revision.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Kīlauea eruption?
Episode 43 ended on March 10, 2026. Kīlauea is currently in a pause between episodes. Scientists estimate the next eruption window by tracking summit tilt, seismicity, and GPS ground deformation. See the live forecast module above for the latest prediction, updated every 5 minutes from USGS HVO data.
Learn about eruptions, planning a visit, safety, and more
View FAQ →🗺️ Best Viewing Area
Lava can be seen at numbered areas listed below. Park at designated overlooks and parking areas for the best views of the eruption.
Source: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
📍 See detailed descriptions of each viewing area →