What's New
One of the world's most active volcanoes, Kilauea, has spewed lava fountains of 260 feet above Hawaii.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in its most recent update that the eruption "has stabilized within the crater and there are no immediate threats to infrastructure."
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), via email, for comment.
Why It Matters
Kilauea stands as one of Earth's most consistently active volcanoes, with regular eruptions documented since 1983.
This event marks its latest eruption, following previous volcanic activity in June and September of this year. While currently confined to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's restricted area, the eruption raises significant health concerns through volcanic gas emissions.
A 2018 eruption demonstrated Kilauea's destructive potential when it destroyed more than 700 homes in the Puna District between May and August, while thousands of earthquakes dramatically altered the summit area.
What To Know
Kilauea was erupting within Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the summit caldera, within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, as of 6:30 a.m. local time, after it first erupted around 2:00 a.m.
At the time, "vents were continuing to erupt on the floor of the southwest part of the summit caldera," the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.
The USGS declared the eruption "stabilized" and lowered the alert level from "warning" to "watch," indicating that the eruption is ongoing but poses a reduced threat.
The incident's aviation color code, a system warning about volcanic ash, has also been changed from red to orange, meaning emissions are limited and there is less risk to aviation.
High levels of volcanic gas, "which can have far-reaching effects down-wind (generally southwest) of the summit," are the "primary hazard of concern," the USGS said.
Fine volcanic particles and the plume of volcanic gas was reaching elevations of 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level on Tuesday morning, with winds transporting it southwest.
What People Are Saying
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (Official Notice) said: "The opening phases of eruptions are dynamic. Webcam imagery shows a line of fissures erupting lava fountains feeding lava flows at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu within Kaluapele."
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in a statement said: "Hazardous volcanic gases are billowing out the crater and present a danger to everyone, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children and pregnant women."
What Happens Next
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will continue to closely monitor Kīlauea and adjust the alert level/aviation color code accordingly.
"Should volcanic activity change significantly, a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued," it said.
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