Photo & Video Chronology — February 11, 2025 — Episode 9 of Kīlauea summit eruption

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory February 11, 2025

Episode 9 of the Halema'uma'u eruption at the summit of Kīlauea began at 10:16 am HST today, February 11. Lava is fountaining within north vent, feeding lava flows onto the crater floor within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Each fountaining episode of this eruption has lasted from a few hours to over a week.

Each fountaining episode of this eruption has lasted from a few hours to over a week. Current hazards include volcanic gas emissions and windblown volcanic glass (Pele’s Hair) that may impact Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities.

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USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the Kīlauea eruption site at Haleaʻumaʻu the morning of February 11, 2025, just prior to the start of episode 9 of the eruption. From the caldera rim, they captured this video of the north vent, where the occasional spattering over the day prior had constructed a small cone within the vent. Episode 9 fountains reached up to around 330 feet (100 meters), perhaps in part due to the small cone creating a nozzle effect.

Color photograph of lava fountaining — This view, captured by the KWcam, shows the lava fountains at the north vent shortly after episode 9 began. The shiny lava flows just to the left of the lava fountains are new lava flows moving across the crater floor following the start of the episode.

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This compilation of videos shows views of episode 9 lava fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea the evening of February 11, 2025. Lava fountain heights were decreased from the morning of February 11, when episode 9 began. At approximately 8:15 p.m. HST, the north vent fountains were reaching 160-200 feet (50-60 meters) while the bifurcated south vent fountains were lower, reaching 80-100 feet (25-30 meters) high.

Color photograph of scientists monitoring eruption site

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On the evening of February 11th, 2025, USGS geologists deployed to the rim of Kaluapele to observe and document episode nine of the ongoing December 2024–February 2025 Halema‘uma‘u eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. Near the KWcam site, USGS geologists checked on timelapse cameras that have been capturing the ongoing eruption since December 23, 2024. Tall fountain heights from this latest episode of the eruption pose a threat to the cameras, which can begin to warp and melt if the erupting lava fountains reach high enough to get close to them. USGS photo by J. Barnett.

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The Kīlauea Halema‘uma‘u eruption resumed with the start of episode 9 the morning of February 11, 2025. Both the north and south vent were active the evening of February 11, with the north vent lava fountain reaching heights of 50-60 meters (160-200 feet) and a max height of 75 meters (250 feet) at 7:40 p.m. HST. The south vent ranges between 25-30 meters (80-100 feet). Outpouring lava continues to flow on the caldera floor. This picture is taken from the west crater rim looking southeast. USGS photo by H Winslow.