Staff Reports
The U.S. Geological Survey quietly released a jaw-dropping timelapse that stitches together Episodes 34, 35, and 36 of Kīlauea’s ongoing summit eruption, and the footage is impossible to ignore. The compilation shows the raw power of molten rock doing what it has done for eons — reshaping the land under a sky of smoke and fire — while federal scientists document every pulse.
Those three episodes span from October 1 to November 9, 2025, and the timelapse even captures the moment one crater‑rim camera was briefly overwhelmed by radiant heat and had to be replaced and moved back for safety. The USGS notes both north and south vents were active in these episodes, and the footage is being used for research as well as public record.
Make no mistake: this was not a backyard bonfire. Episode 35 produced the highest fountains in this eruption, soaring to an estimated 1,475 feet and dumping the largest single volume of lava onto the crater floor so far. The numbers are staggering — millions of cubic meters of lava in hours, a reminder that nature’s forces dwarf human plans and politics.
The eruptive bursts have real consequences for island residents: tephra and Pele’s hair traveled miles, with light deposits reported as far as Pāhala, and fist‑size volcanic debris at times littered Highway 11 and damaged monitoring instruments. Local crews and federal scientists have been working under difficult conditions, digging out sensors and replacing battered equipment while keeping the public informed.
Americans should applaud the dedicated HVO teams who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us informed, but we should also demand common‑sense priorities that protect livelihoods and local control. Too often bureaucrats reflexively close areas and lock down access without meaningful dialogue with the people who live and work there; resilience means empowering local first responders and property owners, not blanket shutdowns. (Opinion)
This eruption also highlights a larger truth: our national strategy must balance scientific monitoring with support for the private sector and the hardworking families affected by natural disasters. Tourism, small businesses, and ranchers on Hawai‘i Island deserve swift, practical assistance and transparent plans — not endless bureaucratic delays. (Opinion)
For those watching the timelapse and feeling small in the face of molten rock, remember that the USGS explains the eruption follows a predictable pattern of deflation during episodes and inflation between them, meaning more episodes remain possible as magma recharges the summit. Americans who love this country’s landscapes should back the scientists doing the tracking and demand policies that protect jobs, keep communities safe, and respect the grit of island residents who live closest to the fire.
