Hawaiian Volcano Update: Kīlauea Eruption’s Episode 45 - April 23, 2026

Kīlauea’s summit eruption produced its 45th episode today from 1:34 AM to 10:01 AM, following a ramp-up in activity from 9:30 PM last night. Only the north vent produced a lava fountain, peaking around 1000 ft or 300 m in height, producing 5.2 million cubic meters of lava, and feeding a flow that covered roughly 50% of the inner Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. This was similar to episode 44, which produced 5.8 million cubic meters also from the north vent alone, with its fountain peaking around 800 feet or 240 meters and feeding a flow that covered half the crater floor, according to the USGS-HVO. Recent trends combined with the observed tilt drop during episode 45 would suggest about 13 days before the next episode, although it is too soon for a forecast from the USGS. 

A swarm of small shallow earthquakes this past week, combined with a similar swarm and the lifting of the southern crater rim “by several inches (centimeters)” during the end of episode 44, prompted an information statement from the USGS two days ago on Tuesday, suggesting that previous or new patterns could emerge, such as the opening of a low fissure on the southern crater wall during episode 30. Ultimately, episode 45 showed little significant change from episode 44.

Unlike many recent episodes, number 45 came during trade winds, significantly limiting the impact of tephra and gas emissions to nearby communities. Much of the National Park and nearby Volcano Village were spare, with no closures to report, yet Pahala some 20 miles or 32 km downwind to the southwest and other “communities at the southern end of the island” experienced “some Pele’s hair and fine ash.” The volcanic plume reached about 20,000 feet or 6,000 meters above sea level and prompted an ashfall advisory from the National Weather Service during the eruption.

Both vents continue to emit robust gas plumes during pauses between episodes, with typical degassing values of 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes of SO2 per day, which while low-level compared to this morning’s outburst on the order of 100,000 tonnes, is still much greater than industrial standards and impactful to downwind residents. Both during and between episodes, 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/. 

As usual, we summarize the monitoring signals, imagery, and reports available courtesy of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory as well as our broader community, annotating the presentation on-screen as we go and discussing live viewer questions.