The Kilauea volcano, a prominent feature within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, has resumed eruptive activity, marking the start of its 35th significant episode since December 2024. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the resumption of eruptive action on Friday, October 17, 2025, initiating a new phase of intense geological display.
This latest manifestation of Earth's inner power was characterized by dramatic lava fountains erupting from both the north and south vents within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Initial activity began around 8:05 p.m. HST from the north vent, quickly growing to about 500 feet (150 meters). When the south vent erupted at 8:50 p.m., its fountains also rapidly increased, eventually equaling the north vent's height within 20 minutes. By 10:15 p.m., the south vent fountain reached nearly 1,500 feet (460 meters), while the north vent fountain reached about 1,100 feet (330 meters), setting a record for the highest pair of fountains seen during this eruption sequence.
Crucially, the current outpouring of molten rock remains contained within the established crater area of the summit caldera, offering a measure of calm to nearby settlements. Monitoring data from the USGS indicated that the summit deflated significantly during the event, suggesting this episode might be relatively short, similar to Episode 34. The activity is confined solely to the summit area, with no current changes detected in the East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.
Kilauea's recurring activity is intrinsically linked to the movement of the Pacific Plate over the Hawaiian hot spot, a process that has shaped the islands over millions of years. This current sequence, which began on December 23, 2024, has been characterized by episodic lava fountaining, occurring roughly once per week. While observers can witness the raw energy from a safe distance within the park, the USGS continues to monitor hazards, including volcanic gas emissions that create vog (volcanic smog) downwind, with Civil Defense reporting tephra falling on Highway 11 southwest of the vents.