One of the most active volcanoes on Earth, Kīlauea is the youngest volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island and a central feature of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. (Video from May 2023)
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – Alert levels have been raised within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park after the Kīlauea volcano began to erupt early Monday morning in an area that hasn’t seen an eruption in nearly 50 years.
According to an alert from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards was raised from watch to warning, and the Aviation Color Code was changed from orange to red after the new eruption began around 12:30 a.m. local time (6:30 a.m. ET).
HEAVY RAIN TRIGGERED DESTRUCTIVE 2018 KILAUEA VOLCANO ERUPTION, STUDY SUGGESTS
Lava continued to spew from vents at the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island on Thursday after an eruption began on Sunday afternoon, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. (Video from September 2023)
Scientists say the eruption likely began about a mile south of Kīlauea caldera and north of the Koa’e fault system and Hilina Pali Road within the national park.
A glow was spotted on webcams in the area, which indicated to scientists that lava was flowing from fissures in an area that hasn’t seen an eruption since December 1974.
That eruption lasted a mere six hours, but scientists warn that there’s no way of telling how long this current eruption will last.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE A VOLCANO ERUPTS?
Stunning new video released by the USGS shows areas of hot, rapidly swirling air grabbing fresh lava spewing from Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano and tossing it into the air. (Video from June 2023)
The HVO said it would continue to monitor Kīlauea closely for signs of increasing or decreasing activity and would provide updates.
Hazards associated with the current eruption include the release of toxic volcanic gas, which can have far-reaching effects downwind.
In addition, vog has been observed downwind of Kīlauea and could create the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors in the area, as well as cause damage to crops and other plants and injure animals.