Hawaiian Volcano Update: Episode 37, Kīlauea Summit Eruption - November 26, 2025

Following a 16-day pause, vigorous lava fountains marked the 37th episode of Kīlauea’s ongoing summit eruption on November 25, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, over the 9 hours between 2:30 PM and 11:39 PM. Only the north vent erupted lava, spraying in a broad, dual fountain reaching up to 600 feet or 180 meters in height, while the south vent only weakly flamed and spattered. This in contrast to the ramp-up period that started the previous Friday morning, November 21, which produced 76 overflows initially alternating between the north and south vents but “largely from the south vent since Friday evening” as reported in USGS-HVO updates. Following the episode, they also report no tephra fall observed on nearby roads; however, weak winds did lead to reduced air quality within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities.

Inter-episode background emissions of volcanic gas continue, affecting nearby communities through typical releases of 1,200 to 1,500 tonnes of SO2 per day, sometimes rising to 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes as in the days ahead of episode 37.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/. 

While a massive 6.3 million cubic meters of lava was produced, covering 75% of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor, this was the lowest output of lava since episode 33 in September and restricted only to the north vent, unlike episodes 34, 35, and 36. The lava was erupted about half as fast for twice as long as those most recent episodes, and with the assistance of some north vent blockage in splitting the lava fountain, resulted in the shortest lava fountains since the lateral spray of episode 32. 

Following the most recent event, monitoring signals have returned to the typical magma recharge pattern, suggesting another episode is likely but with too little data to forecast a window for its occurrence, so soon after the last one, beyond stating it is “at least a week away.” 10 minutes following the end of episode 37, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Kīlauea’s south flank near Puʻuʻōʻō, though according to an information statement from the USGS-HVO, “does not appear directly related to the eruption” but rather fits into the typical pattern of south flank movement events. All eruptive activity has been confined to Kīlauea’s summit caldera within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with no increased lava threat to people. There continue to be no significant changes on either of Kīlauea’s rift zones. 

On the eve of its 3-year eruption anniversary, Maunaloa appears to have taken a pause in its long-term post-eruption filling pattern, instead showing small-scale contraction and subsidence across its summit ever since its recent slight peak in earthquakes. Such variations have been common in the past, and don’t affect the long-term prognosis of the volcano slowly continuing to recharge its magma, eventually leading to future activity.. 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. 

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