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Kīlauea’s lava fountains follow a repeating pressure cycle. Magma pushing up beneath the summit makes the ground there swell, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) tilt measurements record that rise. When a fountaining episode begins, the summit switches to deflating as pressure is released through the vents. Once the pressure drops, the cycle starts again. The pattern explains why the eruption turns on and off, though it does not explain every detail of each fountain.
The pressure cycle behind the fountains
- Inflation. Magma accumulates in the summit reservoirs and the summit ground swells. USGS tilt observations show this rise building before an episode.
- Onset. When a fountaining episode starts, the summit changes direction and begins to deflate. That turn in the tilt record marks the point where pressure starts to be released.
- Release. Lava and gas leave through the north and south vents, which let pressure stored in the summit chambers escape in increments.
- Pause and repeat. As pressure falls, activity quiets and the summit begins inflating again.
This cycle is the best-supported explanation for the on-and-off behavior. It is not a complete account of every fountain. Why one episode reaches far higher than another, or lasts longer, is not settled by the evidence available here, and a single gas-bubble mechanism has not been established as the cause of every feature of the activity.
An episode is not the whole eruption
The current summit eruption began on December 23, 2024. USGS’s episode table records 54 fountain episodes through August 25, 2026. Episode 54 lasted nine hours and reached 150 feet.
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How high the fountains get
USGS reports that fountains during episodes have reached 1,570 feet (479 meters) above the vents. That figure is an observed maximum, not a typical height. Height and duration vary considerably from one episode to the next, so setting the maximum beside a single episode can mislead.
The USGS episode table records height, duration, the pause since the previous episode, and which vents were active. Those are the fields to compare when judging how an episode compares with others.
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| Measure | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Observed maximum fountain height | 1,570 ft (479 m) | USGS, 2026; episode not stated |
| Episode 54 height | 150 ft | USGS episode table, episode dated August 25, 2026 |
| Episode 54 duration | Nine hours | USGS episode table, episode dated August 25, 2026 |
| Active vents during episode 54 | Not stated | USGS episode table, as reviewed for this article |
What a fountain throws into the air
USGS uses the term tephra for any volcanic material that is erupted and travels through the air before landing:
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“Tephra is a word for any volcanic material that is erupted and travels through the air before landing on the ground.” — U.S. Geological Survey, Kīlauea eruption information
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Types of tephra
- Ash: fine volcanic particles.
- Reticulite: a light, frothy material. Gas-rich lava can cool quickly into this texture.
- Scoria: cinder-like volcanic fragments.
- Volcanic bombs: larger fragments thrown out as the lava is still forming.
- Pele’s hair: fine strands of volcanic glass.
Where tephra lands
Fountain height and wind decide where tephra falls. According to USGS, most of it has landed southwest of the vents, inside a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, though occasional impacts have been documented farther away.
Health and water risks
Pele’s hair and other glassy fragments may irritate skin and eyes. They can also contaminate catchment water, which matters for households and other users who collect rainwater.
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Volcanic gases
Fountains release water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. For sulfur dioxide, USGS reports the following figures for 2026:
| Condition | Sulfur dioxide emission | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| During fountaining episodes | Up to 75,000 tonnes per day | Reported peak. USGS cautions that some episode rates may be higher than the measurements captured. |
| When fountains are inactive | About 1,200–1,500 tonnes per day | Reported range between episodes. |
At its reported peak, the episode figure is about 50 times the upper end of the inactive-period range, which shows how strongly gas output rises during fountaining.
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Visiting safely
- The active crater floor is closed to the public.
- Check current closures and viewing locations with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, run by the National Park Service, before you travel.
- Follow posted closures and warnings on site, since conditions can change between episodes.
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