Kīlauea Volcano Erupts with Lava Fountains and Ash Reaching 50 Miles

By WSN Editorial TeamTech ReporterMarch 20, 20263 min readUpdated less than an hour ago

Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano erupted on March 10, 2026, with significant lava activity and widespread ash dispersion, leading to evacuations and flight cancellations.

Kīlauea volcano, located in Hawaii, entered its second year of activity since reawakening in December 2024, with the 43rd eruption episode occurring on March 10, 2026. During this event, lava spewed from two vents on the southwest side of Halema‘uma‘u Crater between approximately 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time, creating fountains estimated at 1,770 feet high.

The eruption added an estimated 16 million cubic yards of lava to the summit caldera, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). This brought the total lava volume since December 2024 to about 325 million cubic yards, with the crater's lava depth increasing by around 300 feet.

Impact on Surrounding Areas

Ash and volcanic debris from the eruption fell on communities up to 50 miles away, including Hilo and Kea‘au. The HVO reported that volcanic fragments up to several inches in diameter landed along the north rim of the caldera and nearby areas, prompting the temporary closure of Highway 11 and evacuations from parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The volcanic plume reached a height of more than 30,000 feet, leading to the elevation of the aviation color code to red. As a result, several flights at Hilo airport were canceled, according to news reports.

The HVO warned that volcanic debris could irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory systems, and might affect water quality for those relying on rainwater catchment systems. Satellite imagery from Landsat 9, captured at 10:20 p.m. local time on March 10, showed heat from the lava using shortwave infrared and near-infrared data.

NASA's Earth Observatory documented the event, with images revealing the extent of the eruption's effects. The activity remained confined to the summit area, but smaller particles like ash and Pele’s hair traveled tens of miles, impacting coastal communities.