Kilauea Broke a 40-Year Eruption Record and Travelers Still Have a Front-Row Seat

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HAWAI’I ISLAND – At 4:40 in the morning on June 1, Kilauea volcano came back to life on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Lava fountains burst from the north vent inside Halemaumau crater and shot more than 650 feet into the sky.

A plume climbed over 20,000 feet above the park.

Nine hours later, it paused…

But what happened in those nine hours made history.

Episode 48 of the ongoing Kilauea eruption broke a record that had stood for 40 years. This is now the most episodic lava fountaining eruption ever documented on Earth, surpassing the 47 episodes of the famous Puuoo eruption, which ran from 1983 to 1986.

The eruption is currently paused. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open. And if you have a Big Island trip planned, this is not a reason to cancel. It is a reason to go.

What Kilauea’s record-breaking eruption means for your Big Island trip

The USGS dropped the volcano alert level to Advisory and the aviation color code to Yellow on the afternoon of June 1.

That is the lower end of the warning scale. It means volcanic hazards are reduced, the eruption is in a pause phase, and normal park operations are continuing.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park issued an ashfall advisory during the June 1 episode, which is standard when tephra falls in the summit area.

That advisory is no longer active. The park stayed open for visitors throughout the event.

Which areas of the park are open right now

The active eruption zone is inside Halemaumau crater, which sits within a closed hazardous area inside the larger Kilauea caldera. Visitors cannot enter that zone, and they should not try.

But the caldera rim is a different story. Multiple open viewing areas along Crater Rim Drive give you direct sight lines down into Halemaumau.

The Kilauea Overlook, Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluffs), and sections of the Crater Rim Trail are all accessible. No special permit is required.

Vog and air quality: what to check before you go

Vog is volcanic smog. It forms when sulfur dioxide from the eruption mixes with sunlight and moisture. Wind direction determines where it drifts.

On days when winds shift south or southwest, vog can settle over the summit and the Kona coast.

Check the park air quality monitor at nps.gov/havo before you arrive. If conditions are listed as unhealthy, the park may close specific areas temporarily.

Most visits are not affected. Vog is a factor to watch, not a reason to skip the park entirely.

Can you still visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

Yes. And right now, with the eruption between episodes and the caldera still glowing from recent activity, this is one of the most dramatic times to be standing on that rim.

The ongoing eruption has been running since December 23, 2024. Every few weeks, lava fountains from Halemaumau and lights up the night sky above the park.

At episode 48, it became the longest-running episodic fountaining eruption on record.

Where to see the eruption from inside the park

The best spots are the Kilauea Overlook and the pullouts along the south side of Crater Rim Drive.

These give you an elevated view directly into the caldera. At night, even during a pause phase, you can often see lava glow.

During active eruption episodes, traffic into the park gets heavy fast. Plan to arrive early in the morning or wait until after dark when parking is easier.

The HAVO website posts real-time parking and crowd updates.

How to track Episode 49

The USGS says the next episode is likely within one to three weeks based on how magma has been refilling the shallow reservoir under the summit.

When inflation tilt on the Uekahuna monitor approaches the threshold seen before recent episodes, USGS watchers start the countdown.

You can follow this yourself. Sign up for free Volcano Notification Service emails at usgs.gov. You will get an alert the moment activity levels change.

If you are visiting the Big Island in the next month, that subscription could put you in the right place at the right time.

After the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō record fell on June 1, the USGS called it “an event for the history books” and added that the eruption has “garnered worldwide attention due to its visibility and access.”

The eruption is entirely within the national park. No roads, communities, or populated areas are threatened.

Traveler Tip

The park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle and covers seven days of access. You do not need a reservation to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

If you are still building out your Big Island trip, the guide to unique things to do on the Big Island covers everything from manta ray dives to black sand beaches alongside the volcano.

And for travelers weighing multiple islands, the Hawaii island-hopping guide includes a day-by-day Big Island itinerary built around a visit to the park.

Kilauea has been putting on a show since December 2024. Episode 48 just made it official: this eruption belongs in the record books.

And for now, the front row is still open!

Frequently Asked Questions: Kilauea’s Record-Breaking Eruption

What record did Kilauea recently break?

On June 1, Episode 48 of the ongoing eruption officially became the most episodic lava fountaining eruption ever documented on Earth. It surpassed the previous 40-year record of 47 episodes held by the Puuoo eruption from the 1980s.

Is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park open to the public?

Yes, the park remains open. While the eruption is currently in a “pause” phase, normal park operations are continuing. Officials state there is no reason for travelers to cancel their Big Island trips; instead, it is a historic time to visit.

Can I still see lava if the eruption is paused?

While the massive 650-foot lava fountains seen on June 1 have paused, the caldera is still glowing from recent activity. At night, you can often see this lava glow from the rim viewing areas. Outstanding views of the crater are available even when active fountaining is not occurring.

When is the next eruption (Episode 49) expected to start?

The USGS anticipates that Episode 49 will likely occur within one to three weeks. This prediction is based on the current rate at which magma is refilling the reservoir beneath the summit.

Where are the best spots to view the eruption?

The best viewing areas are located along the caldera rim, including:

• Kilauea Overlook
• Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluffs)
• Crater Rim Trail
• South side pullouts along Crater Rim Drive

What should I know about air quality (vog) before visiting?

Vog (volcanic smog) is created when sulfur dioxide mixes with sunlight and moisture. While most visits are unaffected, wind shifts can occasionally bring vog to the summit or the Kona coast. It is recommended to check the park air quality monitor at nps.gov/havo before you arrive, especially if you have respiratory sensitivities.

Do I need a reservation or permit to visit the park?

No, you do not need a reservation or a special permit to enter the park or access the viewing areas. There is a $30 entrance fee per vehicle, which covers access for seven days.

How can I get real-time alerts about new volcanic activity?

To be among the first to know when Episode 49 begins, you can sign up for free Volcano Notification Service emails at volcanoes.usgs.gov. Additionally, the park website (nps.gov/havo) provides real-time updates on parking and crowd levels, which can become heavy during active phases.