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Kilauea: Hawaii volcano erupts again spewing toxic gases and volcanic smog

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Kilauea: Hawaii volcano erupts again spewing toxic gases and volcanic smog


Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano has entered its fifth eruptive episode since late December 2024, resuming activity at 2:57 p.m. HST (7:57 p.m. ET) on January 22, 2025.

Fountains of lava between 16 and 33 feet high have been observed, accompanied by a short lava flow from the volcano’s north vent.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported seismic tremor increasing as the eruption began, with ongoing inflation beneath Halemaʻumaʻu crater indicating continued activity.

“Once sufficient pressure builds, it can push magma up to the surface to start another eruptive episode,” Katie Mulliken, a geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), told Newsweek.

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“Episodes are marked by the onset of lava fountains and rapid deflation of the source magma chamber.”

This zoom view of the two active lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists during an observational visit to the southern crater rim on the…


USGS

Why This Matters

Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, having erupted dozens of times since 1952.

While the current eruption is by no means the largest or longest at the volcano, significant hazards persist for residents and visitors.

How Dangerous is the Hawaii Eruption?

Kīlauea’s current eruption activity remains confined within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater and Kaluapele, located in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. While the activity is contained within a closed area of the National Park, the HVO has warned of several hazards.

Volcanic gas emissions of water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are the “primary concern,” as they can be blown over large distances. Sulfur dioxide, in particular, reacts with the atmosphere to form a visible haze known as volcanic smog, or “vog”.

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Anyone’s health can be impacted when inhaling vog, but sensitive groups such as people with respiratory conditions, older adults, children and pregnant women should exercise extra caution.

Current air quality data from the Hawaii State Department of Health shows conditions have not deteriorated as of yet, with all monitoring stations at “good” levels on the island.

Pele’s hair—strands of volcanic glass produced by lava fountains and carried by the wind—is another hazard associated with eruptions at Kīlauea.

“As lava is ejected through the air, lava particles can be stretched apart, and the material in between can become very thin and form the glassy strands,” Mulliken said.

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“It can sometimes cluster and tangle together on the ground, giving it the appearance of a tumbleweed.”

Mulliken confirmed that during the fourth eruptive episode, which ended on January 18, Pele’s hair reached residential communities within several miles of the summit.

She added, “Hazards associated with Pele’s hair are similar to those associated with volcanic ash. Both are abrasive particles with sharp edges that can irritate eyes, respiratory systems and skin.

“Most Pele’s hair is too large to be inhaled, but people with existing respiratory diseases, like asthma, might find that their symptoms are worse when they are exposed to airborne volcanic particles.”

Anyone in the area is advised to limit exposure to volcanic gases and Pele’s hair where possible.

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What Happens Next

Live webcams positioned at Kīlauea’s summit reveal the eruption was still ongoing as of 2:14 a.m. HST (7:14 a.m. ET).

HVO is continuing to monitor the situation and is expected to release another update later this morning.

Each eruptive episode at Kīlauea has lasted between 14 hours and 8 days, separated by a pause of 1 to 12 days. Its unclear how long this current episode will last.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about volcanic eruptions? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.

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Hawaii County Surf Forecast for March 04, 2026 | Big Island Now

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Hawaii County Surf Forecast for March 04, 2026 | Big Island Now


Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast


Shores Tonight Wednesday
Surf Surf
PM AM AM PM
North Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4
East Facing 3-5 4-6 4-6 5-7
South Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3
TONIGHT
Weather Mostly cloudy. Numerous showers.
Low Temperature In the upper 60s.
Winds East winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tides
Hilo Bay High 1.9 feet 03:26 PM HST.
Low -0.1 feet 09:20 PM HST.
High 2.4 feet 03:40 AM HST.
WEDNESDAY
Weather Partly sunny. Numerous showers.
High Temperature In the upper 70s.
Winds East winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tides
Hilo Bay Low -0.1 feet 10:00 AM HST.
High 2.0 feet 04:04 PM HST.
Sunrise 6:37 AM HST.
Sunset 6:27 PM HST.

Forecast for Big Island Leeward


Shores Tonight Wednesday
Surf Surf
PM AM AM PM
West Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 1-3
South Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3
TONIGHT
Weather Mostly sunny until 6 PM, then mostly
cloudy. Hazy.
Low Temperature In the upper 60s.
Winds West winds around 5 mph early in the
afternoon, becoming light and variable.
Tides
Kona High 1.5 feet 04:04 PM HST.
Low -0.1 feet 09:57 PM HST.
High 1.9 feet 04:18 AM HST.
Kawaihae High 1.4 feet 04:36 PM HST.
Low -0.1 feet 10:20 PM HST.
High 1.9 feet 04:38 AM HST.
WEDNESDAY
Weather Partly sunny. Hazy.
High Temperature In the mid 80s.
Winds Light and variable winds, becoming west
around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tides
Kona Low -0.1 feet 10:37 AM HST.
High 1.6 feet 04:42 PM HST.
Kawaihae Low -0.2 feet 11:01 AM HST.
High 1.6 feet 05:13 PM HST.
Sunrise 6:41 AM HST.
Sunset 6:31 PM HST.

The current moderate northwest swell will continue a gradual decline through Thursday. A small west-northwest swell will arrive on Friday and hold through the weekend, followed by a small north-northwest swell early next week. Choppy east shore surf will build to near seasonal average by Wednesday as trade winds strengthen over and east of the islands. Little change is expected along east facing shores through the weekend, followed by a possible decline early next week if winds veer southerly. Surf along south facing shores will remain small to tiny through the weekend, and some islands may an increase in choppy surf if southerly winds develop early next week.

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NORTH EAST

am        pm  

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Surf: Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

Conditions: Semi choppy with ESE winds 5-10mph in the morning increasing to 10-15mph in the afternoon.

NORTH WEST

am        pm  

Surf: Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

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ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Conditions: Clean in the early morning with ESE winds less than 5mph. Bumpy/semi bumpy conditions move in during the morning hours with the winds shifting W 5-10mph.

WEST

am        pm  

Surf: Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

Conditions: Semi glassy in the morning with N winds less than 5mph. Bumpy/semi bumpy conditions for the afternoon with the winds shifting WNW 5-10mph.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

SOUTH EAST

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am        pm  

Surf: Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

Conditions: Light sideshore texture in the morning with NE winds 10-15mph. This becomes Sideshore texture/chop for the afternoon.

Data Courtesy of NOAA.gov and SwellInfo.com



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Hawaii delegation continues to blast U.S. attack on Iran | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii delegation continues to blast U.S. attack on Iran | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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Blood moon to dazzle Hawaii skies tonight

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Blood moon to dazzle Hawaii skies tonight

























Blood moon to dazzle Hawaii skies tonight | Local | kitv.com

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