NPS Photo by N. Judd

Visitors look at the new vent in Halema`uma`u crater from the overlook at Jaggar Museum. (April 18, 2008)

A swarm of earthquakes and formation of a fumarole (vent emitting gasses) the morning of March 12, 2008, signalled the start of something new at the summit of Kilauea. Three "throat-clearing" explosions has given this new activity the distinction of being the first explosive eruption in Halema`uma`u Crater since 1924 and the first lava erupted from the crater since 1982.

The eruption continues - Use the links below for more information about the dynamic changes at the summit of Kilauea.

Visitor Alert - Hazardous Fumes and Area Closure Advisory 

• Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Info
• Scientists' Daily Updates
• Hawai`i County Volcano Updates
• Summary of Events
• Camera - View of Halema`uma`u
• VOG - Air Quality Monitor
• VOG - A Hazard Fact Sheet
• NASA Satellite Imagery of SO2 
• Images 
• Earthquakes 
• Weather
• Kilauea Daily Update Message
  ph#(808) 967-8862
• National Park Press Releases
• Lava Flows Outside the Park

Video Podcast:
Halema`uma`u Ash Plume - (March 25, 2008)

• Windows Media Player Version

NPS photo by Dave Boyle

Gasses jet out of rubble on the Halema`uma`u crater wall.

New Gas Vent in Halema'uma'u - (March 14, 2008)

• Quicktime Movie (9.48 MB)

Video clip of sulfur dioxide fumes (SO2) jetting out of rubble on the crater wall of Halema'uma'u.

In a Nutshell: A short summary of events leading to the formation and continued eruption of the new vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater:

March 11 - 12, 2008 - Deflation/inflation event occured.
March 12, 2008 - Scientists noted a small swarm of earthquakes in the morning of March 12th. Shortly after, a new fuming area (fumarole) appeared low on the southeast wall of the crater, directly beneath the Halema`uma`u overlook and about 230' down.
March 19, 2008, Wednesday - At 2:58 a.m., scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded a small explosion from the new fumarole in Halema`uma`u crater, the first explosive event since 1924. Debris was scattered over a 75 acre area. The overlook was damaged by rocks that were up to 3 feet (90cm) across. A light dusting of ash fell in a community several miles away in the district of Ka`u.
April 9, 2008 - another small explosion occurred, enlarging the vent opening and depositing dense blocks and particles of fresh lava on the Halema`uma`u overlook area.
April 16, 2008 - at 3:57 a.m., a third small explosion from the vent occurred, enlarging the vent and depositing a thin dusting of pale-red ash west of the crater.

The new explosion pit continues to vigorously vent gas and ash, with the plume alternating between brown (ash-rich) and white (ash-poor).

Visitors may view the new vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater and the plume from the overlook at Jaggar Museum. Other overlooks with views include: Steam Vents, Kilauea Overlook, Kilauea Iki Overlook, and Volcano House hotel.