A live came of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.
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Watch the Kilauea live cam
Over the past 12 months, Kilauea has been periodically active, stunning viewers with towering fountains of lava. In its latest eruption, the 38th of the current episode of activity, viewers were treated to more than 12 hours of activity that began on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The fountains erupted from both the north and south vents, spewing lava more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) into the sky and destroying one of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) live cams.
In addition, an enormous plume of gas and fine glass particles extended up to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level.
The USGS shared a summary of Kilauea’s activity from the most recent event:
- Lava fountains from the south vent reached over 1,000 feet (300 meters) high
- Both vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u crater erupted, but the south vent erupted higher fountains and for longer
- Lava flows were contained to Halema‘uma‘u crater in the summit caldera of Kilauea caldera
- Fallout from the lava fountain covered one of the three USGS livestream cameras that monitor this area (the camera was located in a hazardous area closed to the public)
- Ashfall was reported in Pahala, a community about 20 miles (32 km) downwind
- Eruptive plume reached more than 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level and sulfur dioxide emission rates exceeded 50,000 tones per day
- Over 16 million cubic yards of lava were erupted, equivalent to more than 3 billion gallons (enough to fill 25,000 Olympic swimming pools)
Monitoring data indicate that Kilauea summit has resumed inflation following the end of this fountaining episode, suggesting another episode could happen in the coming weeks. The one year anniversary of this eruption will be on December 23.
A volnado?!
In November, Kilauea produced a volnado, or a tornado-like whirlwind. The volnados are made of ash and dust from the intense heat from lava fountains interacting with cooler air, lifting volcanic particles into a spinning column. They’re somewhere between a dust devil and fire tornado. And they’re visible because of the dark ash and steam rising from the powerful lava jets.
Keep up with Kilauea at this USGS page
Bottom line: Kilauea volcano erupted spectacularly on December 6, 2025. What’s it doing now? Check the live cam here.
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