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Photo & Video Chronology — May 5, 2025 — Kīlauea eruption reawakens

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory May 5, 2025

Following the appearance of low-level lava spattering in webcam views of Halema‘uma‘u crater on May 5, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists visited the crater rim to observe the reawakened Kīlauea summit eruption.

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Side-by-side color photographs of erupting volcanic vents
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On May 5, 2025, the north and south vents of Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption were alternating in vigor over the course of 10-minute cycles. These two images were captured from the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater about 5 minutes apart, with the first image showing lava upwelling in the south vent (left) alongside a drained north vent (right), then the second image shows lava filling the north vent as the south vent drains. USGS photos by M. Zoeller.
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Color photograph of erupting volcanic vent
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This view of the south vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea was captured through the lens of a laser rangefinder device that Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were using to measure eruptive features. The south vent was not as vigorously active as the north vent during the scientists' visit, with lava spatter being thrown only about 3 meters (10 feet) in the air. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
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Color photograph of erupting volcanic vent
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On May 5, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists visiting the western rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater watched several cycles of lava filling and draining within the north vent of Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption. Dome fountains in the vent's lava pond reached approximately 6 meters (20 feet) in height. Similar behavior has been observed prior to several recent episodes of higher and more vigorous lava fountaining during the course of the eruption, which began December 23, 2024. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
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