Kilauea Sets Record 48th Lava-Fountaining Episode After 9 Hours of Eruptions

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2

Nine hours of lava fountains on Monday gave Kilauea its 48th fountaining episode since the eruption began in December 2024, the most in a single eruption on record.
USGS said spattering on Saturday evening and subsequent lava overflow preceded the latest burst, which sent fountains up to about 650 feet and produced significant heat and ash.
Ashfall advisories covered areas including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with reports of fine ash and Pele’s hair, while a sulfur-and-ash cloud caused some flight cancellations.
The current eruption is unusual for Kilauea because sustained, repeated high fountaining is rare; USGS says only three similar eruptions were recorded previously, in 1959, 1969-74 and 1983-86.

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