September 20, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption summary

On the night of September 15, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysical data indicated that an eruption could be occurring a remote area of Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Scientists on a helicopter overflight the next morning confirmed that a small eruption had occurred between Makaopuhi and Nāpau Craters, covering about 4 acres with new lava. Magma was still active below the surface and that evening, September 16, the area began erupting again, this time at the base of Nāpau Crater.

A line of vents erupted lava that covered about a quarter of the crater floor. By the following morning, September 18, eruptive activity had greatly decreased, and the lava flows were no longer moving but that afternoon vents west of Nāpau Crater began erupting lava that cascaded down into the crater.

Over the next two days, the eruption continued until it paused the morning of September 20. In total, more than 156 acres were covered with new rock that erupted from a fissure system more than 1 mile long. Numerous eruptions have taken place in this area of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone over past decades. Most lasted less than a day to about two weeks, but multi-year eruptions also took place.

Looking at the bigger picture, this eruption signals a significant and fascinating change in activity at Kīlauea.

USGS video: https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/sep...
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