Kīlauea Middle East Rift Zone Eruption

This photograph of Kīlauea’s ongoing middle East Rift Zone eruption was captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight during the morning of September 17, 2024. Geologists observed fountaining eruptive fissures and active lava flows on the floor of Nāpau Crater, just downrift (northeast) of the September 15 eruptive fissure. This south-facing view shows the current activity from the north side of Nāpau Crater. USGS photo by A. Ellis. 

Big Island Video News video link: https://youtu.be/Pg8p8-sm5fI

Current activity is restricted to Kīlaueaʻs upper-to-middle East Rift Zone, in a remote and closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Due to the remote location, the eruption does not currently pose an immediate threat to human life or infrastructure.