Hawaiian Volcano Update: Episode 41 & Tephra Fallout, Kīlauea Summit Eruption - January 29, 2026

Описание: Kīlauea’s 13-month summit eruption produced its 41st episode, and its most impactful on residents, this past Saturday, January 24, combining the highest measured lava fountains thus far with unfavorable winds to drop significant amounts of tephra on communities to the east and north of the volcano. Rising up to 1575 feet or 480 meters, streams from both the north and south vents lasted over 8 hours from 11:10 AM until 7:26 PM. In less time than the previous episode, this event erupted twice as much lava through reactivation of the south vent, 11 million cubic meters, covering up to 85% of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. While the first overflows occurred on the evening of January 22, continuous effusion began on 3:52 AM on January 24 amidst a backdrop of increased seismicity over the previous week, which ultimately did not cause any major changes in the eruption. However, the last 30 seconds of episode 41 included the first notable “jetting event” of the eruption, with the south vent shooting an incandescent gas pillar that may have matched or exceeded the highest lava fountains. Similar jetting events were noted during the Puʻuʻōʻō era, in the final hours of episodes 42 to 47 – its last lava fountains before a major vent shift changed the nature of that eruption.


Tephra fallout within and outside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park quickly caused closure of summit viewing overlooks as well as Highway 11 around Volcano Village where reticulate up to 1 foot or 30 centimeters in diameter was noted falling onto the road. According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, “Tephra was reported in communities including Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, Ohia Estates, Mountain View, Fern Acres, Kurtistown, Ainaloa Estates, Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Parks, Hawaiian Beaches, and Pahoa. Tephra fall in more distant communities (Mountain View, Fern Acres, Kurtistown, Ainaloa Estates, Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Parks, Hawaiian Beaches, and Pahoa) is fine-grained ash and Pele's hair.” Cleanup efforts are underway, but communities are still seeking help especially for their elderly populations in addressing looming problems with their roofs and water catchment systems.


Underground recharge of the volcano through all the typical signals is already evident, suggesting an episode 42 is likely. The USGS-HVO current projects a window of February 9 to 20 for the next event based on data models. Both vents continue their typical inter-episode degassing of 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes of SO2 per day, which with weak winds are still sufficient to affect nearby communities. Vog and tephra remain the most common hazards for island residents, and the usual precautions and preparations apply, especially for those with respiratory sensitivities – more information at https://vog.ivhhn.org/.


Maunaloa continues its long-term post-eruption filling pattern, with the caldera slowly stretching and rising, accompanied by earthquakes. As usual, we summarize the monitoring signals, imagery, and reports available courtesy of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, annotating the presentation on screen as we go and discussing live viewer questions.