Lava from a Hawaii volcano shot into the sky Tuesday in tall fountains that were expected to grow even bigger as part of an off-and-on eruption. The eruption began Dec. 23 in a crater at the summit of Kilauea,

Kilauea is in a unique phase of activity in Halema‘uma‘u, with 12 episodes of dual lava fountains since Dec. 23, 2024.

The eruption began on December 23 in a crater at the summit of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Continuous lava fountaining began about 2 p.m. today within Kilauea’s Halemaumau crater as the 12th episode of the ongoing summit eruption continues, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists. Episode 12 started this morning with “sluggish” lava flows from the south and north vents of the summit caldera, according to HVO.

Kīlauea volcano at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is in a unique phase of activity in Halemaʻumaʻu, with 12 episodes of dual lava fountains since December 23, 2024.

Watch: Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, produces a rare lavanado during it's 11th episode since December 2024.

The latest activity, classified as episode 11 of the ongoing eruption, began at 6:26 p.m. with low-intensity spattering before intensifying. By 6:50 p.m., lava was flowing onto the caldera floor through a spillway in the north vent, covering 10% to 15% of Halemaumau’s floor, officials said.