Kilauea broke its own record on March 10. The south vent hurled lava 1,770 feet into the air during Episode 43 of the ongoing eruption. Tephra rained across communities from Volcano Village to Hilo. Episode 44 is forecast for early April.
If you’re visiting the Big Island in the coming weeks, here’s what matters.
What Happened: Episode 43
Episode 43 kicked off at 9:17 AM HST on March 10, 2026. It lasted about 9 hours.
The south vent fountain reached 1,770 feet (540 meters), setting a new record for this eruption cycle. The north vent peaked above 1,300 feet (400+ meters). Both vents erupted simultaneously from Halema’uma’u crater.
To put that in perspective, 1,770 feet is taller than the Empire State Building, antenna included. This was the most powerful fountaining event since the current eruption cycle began in December 2024.
Tephra Fallout and Impacts
Southwest winds during the eruption pushed tephra northeast across Ka’u, Puna, South Hilo, and North Hilo districts. The fallout was significant.
Heaviest accumulation hit the Uekahuna overlook and Kilauea Military Camp: 4 to 12 inches of tephra. Football-sized fragments landed at park overlooks near the summit. Ash and Pele’s hair (thin strands of volcanic glass) fell as far as Hilo, roughly 30 miles away, by 3 PM.
Highway 11 closed temporarily for cleanup. Parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park shut down during and immediately after the episode.
Water quality is a question residents ask after every episode. Fluoride testing following earlier episodes showed levels of 0.06 to 0.3 ppm, well below EPA limits. Catchment water users in affected areas should still run their water through filters as a precaution.
Episode 44 Forecast
The USGS forecasts Episode 44 between approximately April 1 and April 14, 2026. Summit inflation has been steady since Episode 43 ended, which signals magma recharging beneath the crater.
The current alert level is WATCH (level 3 of 4). Aviation color code is ORANGE.
Kilauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024. The pattern is consistent: each fountaining episode lasts under 12 hours, followed by a pause of days to weeks while pressure rebuilds. We’re in a pause right now. The next one could fire any day in early-to-mid April.
According to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, USGS scientists expect this episodic pattern to continue for the foreseeable future. Each episode is broadly similar, though Episode 43 proved they can still surprise with intensity.
What This Means for Visitors
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open. Between episodes, the park operates normally. You can drive Chain of Craters Road, hike to Thurston Lava Tube, and explore coastal trails without issue.
During an active fountaining episode (typically under 12 hours), some areas near the summit close temporarily. The rest of the park usually stays accessible.
The eruption is contained within Halema’uma’u crater. Lava is not flowing toward populated areas or resort zones. Kona, Hilo, Waikoloa, and the Kohala Coast resorts are all unaffected.
If Episode 44 fires during your visit, you might see the glow from safe vantage points. The Jaggar Museum overlook area and Uekahuna are the classic spots for watching, though both can close during active fountaining for safety.
Air quality: Vog (volcanic smog) can drift to the Kona side of the island. If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, monitor the Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard before heading outdoors.
Rental car tip: You’ll want a car to explore the park on your own schedule and react to conditions. Book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental for the best Big Island rates.
Should You Cancel Your Trip?
No.
This eruption has been ongoing for 15 months. It’s episodic and predictable. The park and surrounding communities have adapted to the rhythm.
The Big Island is massive. At 4,028 square miles, it’s nearly twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined. The eruption affects a small area near the summit. Most of the island is completely unaffected. Your snorkeling at Two Step, your coffee farm tour in Kona, your stargazing on Mauna Kea, none of that changes.
If anything, this is a reason to go. Seeing an active volcanic eruption from a safe distance is one of the most singular experiences on Earth. Few places let you witness the planet building itself in real time. Kilauea is one of them, and right now it’s putting on a show.
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