Kīlauea ORANGE - WATCH: Episode 40 has paused and monitoring continues

Kīlauea is not erupting after episode 40, which ended Jan. 12, and webcams show continuing incandescent flows and recent small earthquakes; monitoring data and inflation suggest another episode may occur in about two weeks but forecasts remain uncertain.

Kīlauea is not erupting following summit lava fountaining on January 12 that lasted about 9.7 hours. Webcams show incandescent spots and slow-moving flows on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu near the vents. A brief series of small earthquakes and a modest rebound in inflation have been recorded since the episode ended. Gas emissions have decreased from peak values but remain within ranges seen during previous pauses. Current observations: - Episode 40 began the morning of January 12 and ended after about 9.7 hours, with fountain heights reaching roughly 800 feet (250 meters) at peak. - Overnight webcam views show continued incandescent areas and creeping lava flows near the eruptive vents on the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. - About 22 small earthquakes were recorded beneath the summit at depths of about 1.2–2.5 miles (2–4 km) between midnight and 3 a.m. HST; these quakes were not accompanied by changes in other monitoring datasets. - The UWD tiltmeter recorded about 1.5 microradians of inflation since the end of episode 40, and low-level volcanic tremor was present. - Volcanic gas emission rates have dropped substantially since the episode ended and are likely in the range of roughly 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes of SO2 per day, while East and Southwest Rift zones show low seismicity and little detectable SO2. Summary: Inflation rebound and low-level tremor after episode 40 indicate another lava fountaining episode is likely, though available data are insufficient for detailed forecasting and past patterns put the next episode at about two weeks away. HVO continues close monitoring and coordination with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense; further updates will depend on new monitoring data.