It is weirdly quiet at the summit right now. If you were standing at the Uēkahuna Overlook this morning, you wouldn't see the massive 800-foot fire fountains that dominated the skyline just a few days ago. The latest Hawaii volcano eruption at Kīlauea has entered a very specific, almost rhythmic "episodic" phase that has caught even some long-time geologists off guard.
Basically, the volcano is acting like a pressure cooker that vents every couple of weeks.
On January 12, 2026, Kīlauea roared through its 40th fountaining episode since this current cycle began back in December 2024. It was intense. For about 9.7 hours, lava shot into the air from the north and south vents within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, dumping roughly 5.5 million cubic meters of molten rock onto the crater floor. Then, just as quickly as it started, the taps turned off.
What is Actually Happening at the Summit?
Right now, the eruption is officially "paused." But "paused" doesn't mean "over."
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is currently tracking a series of earthquake swarms—four of them since January 13—rumbling about 1.5 to 4 kilometers beneath the surface. These aren't big "house-shakers," mostly magnitude 1 or 2, but they tell a story of magma pushing into new cracks.
Scientists are watching the tiltmeters (think of these like ultra-sensitive levels used in construction) very closely. After the Episode 40 drain on January 12, the ground began inflating again almost immediately.
As of January 16, the UWD tiltmeter has recorded about 8.8 microradians of reinflation. This is the volcano "inhaling" more magma. Based on how fast it's filling up, the HVO experts are forecasting the next lava fountaining episode to hit somewhere between January 20 and January 25, 2026.
The New "Normal" for Kīlauea
Historically, we think of Kīlauea as a slow, steady oozing mess (like the 35-year Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption). This current cycle is different. It’s snappy. It’s aggressive. It’s episodic.
- Eruption Duration: Usually less than 12 hours of high-intensity fountaining.
- The Pauses: Anywhere from a few days to two full weeks of silence.
- The Glow: Even during the "quiet" times, you can often see a steady orange glow from the vents at night.
- The Hazards: It’s not just the lava. Volcanic gas (SO2) is still pumping out at about 1,500 tonnes per day during the pauses.
Why This Pattern Matters for Your Trip
If you're heading to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the "latest Hawaii volcano eruption" status is a bit of a moving target. Honestly, the best views aren't necessarily when the lava is flowing.
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During the big fountaining events, the park gets slammed. Traffic jams at 2:00 AM are a real thing. But during these pauses, you can actually hike the Kīlauea Iki trail or walk along Devastation Trail without fighting for a parking spot at the Kīlauea Visitor Center (which, heads up, is currently closed for a massive renovation, though there is a temporary "Welcome Center" at Kilauea Military Camp).
Pele’s Hair and Other Weird Risks
One thing people get wrong is thinking the "closed areas" are just a suggestion. They aren't.
Because the fountains are so high (Episode 40 hit 800 feet), they produce a lot of Pele’s Hair. These are thin, glass-like strands of cooled lava that the wind carries for miles. They are basically fiberglass. If you get them on your skin or in your eyes, it’s going to hurt. During the January 12 event, chunks of tephra (volcanic rock) up to 4 inches wide were falling near public viewing areas like Uēkahuna.
If the wind picks up, even old volcanic ash can get kicked into your face. It's smart to check the "Vog" (volcanic smog) forecast if you have asthma or any breathing issues.
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Is Mauna Loa Joining the Party?
Short answer: No.
Everyone asks about Mauna Loa because of that big 2022 show, but right now, it’s at "Normal" status. There were about 94 earthquakes under its summit in December, which sounds like a lot, but for a giant like Mauna Loa, that’s basically a nap. The deformation has shifted toward the south caldera, which just means it's slowly refilling its "gas tank" for the future. No eruption is imminent there.
Actionable Steps for Following the Eruption
Don't rely on old news or social media hype which often uses "BREAKING" for things that happened three years ago. If you want to know if the lava is actually flowing right this second, here is what you do:
- Check the Live Webcams: The USGS HVO maintains the K2cam and others that look directly into Halemaʻumaʻu. If you see a bright orange lake or fountains, get in the car.
- Monitor the Tilt: Look at the Kīlauea monitoring data. When the blue line (tilt) starts dropping sharply, that usually means the eruption has started and the pressure is being released.
- Download the NPS App: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park uses it to post real-time alerts about road closures or air quality "Purple Air" sensor data.
- Visit During the Window: If you are on the Big Island between January 20 and January 25, keep your shoes by the door. That is the current predicted window for Episode 41.
- Respect the Kapu: Stay on marked trails. The crater rim is incredibly unstable right now due to the constant "shaking mood" of the volcano.
Kīlauea is currently one of the most active but predictable volcanoes on Earth. It’s giving us a rare, rhythmic look at how planetary plumbing works. Just remember that the "latest Hawaii volcano eruption" isn't a single event anymore; it’s a series of short, violent bursts followed by a deep, shaky breath.