Kīlauea in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park launched lava over 1,000 feet into the air during the 23 episode of its current eruption over Memorial Day weekend. These were the highest recorded fountains so far in the ongoing eruption, with fountains from the north vent reaching nearly 1,150 feet into the air.
Sustained lava fountains began erupting from north vent at 4:15pm on Sunday, May 25, reaching nearly 1,000 feet in height by 5:11pm. At around 5:15pm, fountains from south vent began erupting and fountains from north vent climbed over 1,000 feet.
South vent fountains reached up to 800 feet by 7:15pm on Sunday. Cooled pieces of lava from the fountains contributed to a growing deposit along the southwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu in the hazardous closed area of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The material deposited by just episode 23 is estimated to be more than 32 feet deep in some areas.
North vent stopped erupting by 9:48pm and south vent by 10:25pm on Sunday, May 25. In total the north and south vents in Halemaʻumaʻu erupted for about six hours with dual fountains active through most of the episode.
Prior to the episode, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park shared the Hawaiian proverb “E nihi ka hele i ka uka o Puna”, which translates to “Step carefully in the uplands of Puna”. With it they emphasize the need for respect when interacting with the land, encouraging visitors to stay within designated areas, avoid removing natural elements, and respect the land.
“Do not pluck the lehua flower. Do not eat the berries of the ‘ōhelo plant. Or you may be overtaken by disaster—rain, fog, or worse.” – Hawaiian orator J. Kahinu in 1871
