HONOLULU (KHON2) — Kilauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater eruption picked up again early on March 10, with lava fountains shooting up to 400-500 feet (120-150 meters) just after 2:30 a.m. HST, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This marks Episode 13 of the ongoing eruption, which has been active since late December 2024.

Before the dramatic fountains, there were smaller bursts of lava spattering up to 30 feet (10 meters) starting in the afternoon on March 10. These grew stronger throughout the night, and by the early morning hours of March 11, the eruption had ramped up significantly, with lava flowing from the north vent and covering about 20-30% of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor.

The eruption follows a familiar pattern — each episode since December has lasted anywhere from 13 hours to 8 days, with breaks in between that range from less than a day to about two weeks.

USGS noted that seismic activity picked up right before 2:30 a.m. HST, and the volcano’s tilt switched from inflation to deflation around the same time lava started erupting.

The current alert level for the volcano is “WATCH,” with an aviation color code of “ORANGE,” meaning the eruption remains a significant threat to both air traffic and the surrounding area.

For those watching the eruption unfold in real-time, the USGS has a live stream available on YouTube. You can also get more detailed updates on the eruption through their website.