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Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is once again making global headlines in May 2025, captivating scientists, tourists, and millions online. With massive lava fountains, hazardous gas emissions, and breathtaking livestreams, the world is watching as Kilauea continues its powerful eruption cycle. This guide covers the latest eruption, real-time alerts, eruption history, hazards, safety, science, and why #Kilauea is trending across social media.
USGS: Kilauea Volcano Real-Time Updates
📰 May 2025 Eruption: What’s Happening Right Now at Kilauea?
🌋 Latest Eruption: On May 25, 2025, Kilauea’s summit Halemaʻumaʻu crater erupted with spectacular lava fountains, some shooting over 1,000 feet (300 meters) into the air. The eruption began at 4:15 p.m. local time and lasted over six hours, with both north and south vents active. Lava covered about half of the crater floor, but all activity remained within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park—no homes or communities were threatened.
🌪️ Hazards: The eruption produced a massive volcanic plume rising over 5,000–14,000 feet, containing ash, volcanic glass (Pele’s hair), and toxic sulfur dioxide gas. The USGS issued a WATCH alert and Orange aviation code, warning of poor air quality and windblown hazards for park visitors and nearby residents.
🔁 Ongoing Episodes: This is the 23rd eruptive episode since December 23, 2024. Kilauea’s current eruption cycle features dramatic fountaining events about once a week, separated by pauses. Each episode lasts hours to days, with inflation and seismic tremor signaling the next event.
📸 Livestreams & Social Buzz: USGS cameras and YouTube streams capture every moment, while #Kilauea, #Hawaii, #volcano, and #lava trend on Instagram and TikTok.
🚦 Access & Safety: All eruptive activity is inside the National Park. The park remains open but with restricted areas, and visitors are urged to stay on marked trails and heed all warnings.
🗺️ Where Is Kilauea? On Hawaii’s Big Island, about 200 miles from Honolulu, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
CBS News: Kilauea Eruption Video & Photos
🌪️ Hazards: The eruption produced a massive volcanic plume rising over 5,000–14,000 feet, containing ash, volcanic glass (Pele’s hair), and toxic sulfur dioxide gas. The USGS issued a WATCH alert and Orange aviation code, warning of poor air quality and windblown hazards for park visitors and nearby residents.
🔁 Ongoing Episodes: This is the 23rd eruptive episode since December 23, 2024. Kilauea’s current eruption cycle features dramatic fountaining events about once a week, separated by pauses. Each episode lasts hours to days, with inflation and seismic tremor signaling the next event.
📸 Livestreams & Social Buzz: USGS cameras and YouTube streams capture every moment, while #Kilauea, #Hawaii, #volcano, and #lava trend on Instagram and TikTok.
🚦 Access & Safety: All eruptive activity is inside the National Park. The park remains open but with restricted areas, and visitors are urged to stay on marked trails and heed all warnings.
🗺️ Where Is Kilauea? On Hawaii’s Big Island, about 200 miles from Honolulu, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
🌋 Kilauea Eruption History: From Ancient Legends to Modern Science
📖 Ancient Roots: Kilauea, meaning “spewing” or “much spreading” in Hawaiian, is a sacred site in Native Hawaiian culture. It’s considered the home of Pele, the volcano goddess.
📅 Geologic Timeline: Kilauea is the youngest and most active volcano in Hawaii, emerging from the sea about 280,000 years ago. It’s been erupting sporadically since at least 1983.
🌋 Notable Eruptions:
📊 Impact: Eruptions have shaped Hawaii’s landscape, economy, and culture, with both devastating and renewing effects.
NYT: Kilauea Eruption History & Science
📅 Geologic Timeline: Kilauea is the youngest and most active volcano in Hawaii, emerging from the sea about 280,000 years ago. It’s been erupting sporadically since at least 1983.
🌋 Notable Eruptions:
- 1983–2018: Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption, the longest in Kilauea’s history, created new land and destroyed hundreds of homes.
- 2018: Major eruption with 716 homes destroyed, thousands displaced, $236.5 million in infrastructure damage, and $415 million in lost tourism.
- 2020–2025: Intermittent summit eruptions, with the current cycle starting December 23, 2024, and 23 episodes as of May 2025.
📊 Impact: Eruptions have shaped Hawaii’s landscape, economy, and culture, with both devastating and renewing effects.
⚠️ Hazards, Air Quality & How to Stay Safe Near Kilauea
🌫️ Vog & Air Quality: Volcanic smog (“vog”) from Kilauea’s sulfur dioxide emissions can cause headaches, breathing problems, and eye irritation, especially for children, seniors, and those with respiratory issues. The Hawaii DOH and USGS urge checking air quality before visiting.
🧪 Pele’s Hair & Ash: Fine volcanic glass fragments and ash can travel miles downwind, posing risks to eyes, lungs, and skin. Avoid exposure and keep windows closed during eruptions.
🚨 Evacuation & Alerts: While the current eruption is contained, past events have forced rapid evacuations. Always follow Civil Defense and USGS alerts. Prepare a go-bag with essentials if you live in hazard zones.
🦺 Park Safety: Stay on marked trails, obey closure signs, and keep children close. The National Park Service enforces strict safety rules during eruptions.
👃 What to Do If Exposed: Leave the area if you smell strong sulfur or see ash. Seek shelter, close windows, and seek medical attention for severe symptoms.
CDC: Volcanic Eruption Safety Guidelines
🧪 Pele’s Hair & Ash: Fine volcanic glass fragments and ash can travel miles downwind, posing risks to eyes, lungs, and skin. Avoid exposure and keep windows closed during eruptions.
🚨 Evacuation & Alerts: While the current eruption is contained, past events have forced rapid evacuations. Always follow Civil Defense and USGS alerts. Prepare a go-bag with essentials if you live in hazard zones.
🦺 Park Safety: Stay on marked trails, obey closure signs, and keep children close. The National Park Service enforces strict safety rules during eruptions.
👃 What to Do If Exposed: Leave the area if you smell strong sulfur or see ash. Seek shelter, close windows, and seek medical attention for severe symptoms.
📈 Kilauea Volcano in the News, Social Media & Science Trends
📰 Why Is Kilauea Trending? Spectacular eruptions, livestreams, and viral videos have made #Kilauea, #Hawaii, #volcano, and #lava top hashtags on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Millions are watching USGS and tourist videos of lava fountains and glowing craters.
📱 Social Sensing: Scientists track eruptions using social media data—tweet spikes often match real eruption events. This “social sensing” helps improve hazard communication and public awareness.
🎥 Livestreams & Webcams: USGS provides multiple live camera feeds of the summit, letting anyone watch eruptions in real time.
🔬 Volcano Science: Kilauea is one of the world’s best-studied volcanoes. USGS and HVO monitor seismicity, ground tilt, gas emissions, and lava flows 24/7. The eruption pattern—pauses and bursts—offers clues about magma movement and eruption forecasting.
🏞️ Tourism Impact: Eruptions draw thousands of visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, but also pose risks and sometimes lead to closures or evacuations.
Instagram: #Kilauea Trending Photos & Videos
📱 Social Sensing: Scientists track eruptions using social media data—tweet spikes often match real eruption events. This “social sensing” helps improve hazard communication and public awareness.
🎥 Livestreams & Webcams: USGS provides multiple live camera feeds of the summit, letting anyone watch eruptions in real time.
🔬 Volcano Science: Kilauea is one of the world’s best-studied volcanoes. USGS and HVO monitor seismicity, ground tilt, gas emissions, and lava flows 24/7. The eruption pattern—pauses and bursts—offers clues about magma movement and eruption forecasting.
🏞️ Tourism Impact: Eruptions draw thousands of visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, but also pose risks and sometimes lead to closures or evacuations.
🌋 Kilauea Volcano FAQ & How to Experience It Safely
Q: Is Kilauea erupting right now?
A: Yes, as of May 27, 2025, Kilauea is in an active eruption cycle with the latest episode on May 25.
Q: Where can I watch Kilauea live?
A: USGS and National Park webcams, YouTube livestreams, and social media.
Q: Is it safe to visit?
A: Yes, if you follow National Park rules, stay on trails, and heed all alerts. Air quality can change rapidly.
Q: What are the main hazards?
A: Lava, ash, Pele’s hair, sulfur dioxide gas, and sudden eruption changes.
Q: How often does Kilauea erupt?
A: It’s one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupting frequently since the early 1980s.
Q: What’s the best time to visit?
A: When eruptions are contained in the park, with clear air and open trails. Always check alerts first.
Q: What hashtags are trending for Kilauea?
A: #kilauea #hawaii #volcano #bigisland #lava #nationalpark #aloha #geology #eruption
A: Yes, as of May 27, 2025, Kilauea is in an active eruption cycle with the latest episode on May 25.
Q: Where can I watch Kilauea live?
A: USGS and National Park webcams, YouTube livestreams, and social media.
Q: Is it safe to visit?
A: Yes, if you follow National Park rules, stay on trails, and heed all alerts. Air quality can change rapidly.
Q: What are the main hazards?
A: Lava, ash, Pele’s hair, sulfur dioxide gas, and sudden eruption changes.
Q: How often does Kilauea erupt?
A: It’s one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupting frequently since the early 1980s.
Q: What’s the best time to visit?
A: When eruptions are contained in the park, with clear air and open trails. Always check alerts first.
Q: What hashtags are trending for Kilauea?
A: #kilauea #hawaii #volcano #bigisland #lava #nationalpark #aloha #geology #eruption
🔗 Official Resources & Useful Links
USGS: Kilauea Volcano Updates
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
CDC: Volcano Safety
Instagram: #Kilauea
USGS YouTube Livestreams
Hawaii Volcano Recovery Fund
©️ 2025 | Kilauea Volcano: Complete Guide for US Readers