HONOLULU (KHON) — After a break in eruptions at Kīlauea since the start of the year, the first fountaining of 2026 burned brightly the morning of Jan. 12.
The United States Geological Survey reported episode 40 of fiery lava fountaining began in Halemaʻumaʻu at 8:22 a.m.
Kīlauea’s ongoing eruption: Episode 39 recap
“Elevated gas levels and tephra (fine glass particles that may irritate the skin and eyes) are present in the area and downwind of the eruption,” said the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
The observatory warned the public to be careful when driving in the area due to reduced visibility and increased traffic.
Winds are light — less than 5 miles per hour — at the summit, which makes it difficult to predict the eruption plume of this episode, USGS reported…