Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. We are used to seeing eruptions from the summit region of Kīlauea contained to the region referred to as Halemaʻumaʻu.

Waves of orange, glowing lava and smoky ash belched and sputtered Monday from the world’s largest active volcano in its first eruption in 38 years, and officials told people living on Hawaii’s Big Island to be ready in the event of a worst-case scenario.

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted again early Thursday, marking its 45th episode since December 2024.

Kilauea volcano began shooting lava into the air once again Tuesday on the Big Island of Hawaii. This is the ninth episode of eruptive activity since Dec. 23, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

Lava is overflowing the north vent and has raised the alert level for Kīlauea from advisory to watch as of 11:50 p.m. May 4, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Overflow from the north vent is seen from a screenshot of a Kīlauea webcam on May 5,