Kilauea Eruption Sends Lava Fountains Nearly 1,000 Feet Into Hawaii Sky

Episode 51 of the ongoing summit eruption at Kīlauea produced intense lava fountaining inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater on July 15, 2026.

The timelapse video shows powerful fountains of bright orange molten lava blasting from a vent inside the crater. Glowing lava fragments arc through the air before falling back as dark ash and gas plumes billow overhead. As the sped-up sequence continues, the eruption intensifies, illuminating the crater walls and surrounding landscape while visitors watch from designated safe viewpoints. The footage captures the changing heights of the lava fountains throughout the event.

The eruption began at about 8:30 a.m. HST and continued for approximately eight hours before ending abruptly during the afternoon.

Lava fountains from the north vent reached a maximum height of about 950 feet (290 meters), feeding large lava flows across the crater floor. The south vent produced intermittent flames and gas jets but did not generate lava fountains.

A volcanic gas and ash plume climbed to about 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) above sea level, while tephra fallout remained largely within closed areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

This episodic eruption continues to build the lava lake and reshape the crater floor. Episode 52 is currently forecast for late July.