Kilauea’s 13th episode began early this morning at 2:36 a.m., according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, bringing lava fountains of 400 to 500 feet high in the following hour. Scientists said Episode 13 was preceded by small, sporadic spatter fountains of 15 to 30 feet high starting at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday within the north vent.

The 13th episode of Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 2:36 a.m. HST on March 11. By 3:30 a.m., lava fountains reached 600 feet.

Kilauea is in a unique phase of activity in Halema‘uma‘u, with 12 episodes of dual lava fountains since Dec. 23, 2024.

The USGS said lava fountains from the north vent reached a maximum height of between 500 and 600 feet before they started to decrease.

According to the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, episode 12 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. HST when sporadic lava flows alternated between the south and north cones. The episode ended at 10:37 a.m. HST on Wednesday.

The latest activity, classified as episode 11 of the ongoing eruption, began at 6:26 p.m. with low-intensity spattering before intensifying. By 6:50 p.m., lava was flowing onto the caldera floor through a spillway in the north vent, covering 10% to 15% of Halemaumau’s floor, officials said.

A stunning video recorded during a recent eruptive episode of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano in February shows lava spinning into the air like a dust devil.