USGS REPORT Dec 23: Episode 39 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 8:10 p.m. HST on 23 December. Sustained lava fountains approximately 100 feet (30 meters) in height are currently erupting from both north and south vents. Fountain heights are currently increasing.

Past episodes have produced incandescent lava fountains over 1000 feet (300 meters) high that produce eruptive plumes up to 20,000 feet (6000 meters) above ground level. According to the National Weather Service, winds are blowing from the northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the southwest.

Episode 39 was preceded by overflows of degassed lava that began at approximately 6:41 p.m. from the south vent and continued to increase in intensity until 8:10 p.m., when sustained fountaining began.

Inflationary tilt reached just over 32 microradians since the end of the last episode. Seismic tremor began increasing and tilt at UWD switched from ...