Imagine rivers of glowing lava blasting 1,300 feet into the night sky. That is what Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano just treated the world with; an unforgettable fireworks display from nature itself.
On February 15, 2026, Episode 42 of the volcano’s ongoing summit eruption roared to life, captivating volcano watchers everywhere.
No danger to anyone, just pure, heart-pounding spectacle deep in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Kilauea ranks among Earth’s most active volcanoes, sitting proudly on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Its action unfolds inside a massive crater, where runny magma surges up easily, fueling short, intense bursts that reshape the summit without threatening nearby towns or homes.
WHAT HAPPENED IN EPISODE 42?
The current eruption kicked off on December 23, 2024.
Since then, Kilauea has treated us to a series of dramatic “episodes” of powerful lava fountains followed by peaceful pauses.
By mid-February 2026, we hit Episode 42, with each burst typically lasting under a day and quiet periods stretching two to three weeks.
In episode 42, it exploded onto the scene when twin vents in the crater unleashed towering fountains.
The southern vent soared to an incredible 400 metres (about 1,300 feet), while the northern one hit around 300 metres (1,000 feet).
Bright orange lava danced against the dark sky as a massive gas-and-ash plume climbed to 35,000 feet.
Light ash and silky strands of Pele’s hair, name of a golden volcanic glass, drifted southwest, sprinkling gently over a few remote park spots.
The dazzling display ran for 9 hours and 48 minutes before winding down.
HOW MUCH LAVA WAS SPEWED?
The answer is a staggering 15 million cubic yards (11.4 million cubic metres) of molten rock flooded the crater, enough to fill roughly 11,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
This fresh lava now blankets about half the crater floor, slowly sculpting a bold new landscape at the summit.
Despite the scale of the event, no threat to human life was reported.
The entire show stayed confined to the closed summit area inside the national park.
Homes, roads, and visitors faced zero threat.
The USGS has asked residents to stay informed, but to do so without panic.
Minor volcanic gases and tiny ash bits drifted harmlessly away from populated zones.
After the long, arduous episode, the volcano is catching its breath, with gentle gas plumes curling upward and a soft glow lingering at the vents.
Experts predict Episode 43 could spark in two to three weeks, likely sometime in March.
USGS teams are glued to tiltmeters, earthquakes, and gas readings for the earliest clues.
Kilauea’s relentless energy reminds us how alive the planet truly is. Thanks to live webcams and USGS alerts, millions can witness these glowing lava rivers from anywhere.
