The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported the volcano began its 15th episode on Tuesday at 12:04 p.m., continuing the ongoing eruption. By Wednesday, lava fountains reached heights of 1,000 feet and higher. But later in the day, at 7:10 p.m., the eruption ended when fountaining stopped. 

The current eruption, which began on Dec. 23, 2024, has already produced 14 episodes of lava fountaining, each separated by brief pauses in activity. These spectacular bursts of lava originate from two vents within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater: the north vent and the south vent.

During episode 15, the vents went through more than 100 cycles of lava rise, spatter fountaining, vigorous overflows, and drainback events, which is known as 'gas pistoning' and has been observed in other eruptions at Kilauea in recent decades, over the course of a 24-hour period. Episode 15 began at 12:04 p.m. on Tuesday with vigorous overflows from the north vent.

On Wednesday at 10 a.m., the vents started to fountain. By 10:45 a.m., the tallest fountains from the south vent was 700 feet high with north vent fountains less than half as high. Later fountaining reached heights over 1,000 feet.

Fountain heights were higher in episode 15 than in previous episodes, continuing the pattern of fountain growth over time, according to the HVO. 

During episode 15, lava flows covered about 80-90% of the floor of Halemaumau within the southern part of Kilauea caldera.

Emissions of SO2 exceeded 40,000 tonnes per day during episode 13 and 14, so similar amounts of volcano gas are expected during episode 15. With little wind in the forecast, the plume of volcanic gas may settle near Kilauea and neighboring communities. 

Another hazard is Pele’s hair (volcanic glass) which landed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and nearby areas.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about the fountain heights and other details from the HVO. (March 27, 2025)