Kilauea Visitors Watch Lava Fountain As Ash And Volcanic Material Spread Across Park

A timelapse video recorded during episode 47 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea shows visitors observing the eruption from within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on May 14–15, 2026.

The footage was taken by the K2cam, located on the north rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, capturing people at the Uēkahuna overlook watching the lava fountain rising from the north vent.

At the beginning of the episode, trade winds caused most tephra from the fountains to fall within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Later, when the winds weakened, sparse reticulite up to 3 inches (5 centimeters) in size fell at both the Uēkahuna and Keanakākoʻi overlooks.

As the eruptive plume shifted and rose more vertically, fine ash and Peleʻs hair spread beyond the park boundaries. These materials were reported in nearby communities to the northeast, including Mauna Loa Estates, ʻŌhiʻa Estates, Volcano village, and Royal Hawaiian Estates.

The timelapse captures both the viewing crowds and the changing conditions of the eruption as volcanic material dispersed depending on wind strength and direction.