Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spews out lava fountains
The Kilauea volcano, located on the largest island of the Hawaiian island chain, known as "Hawaii" or "Big Island," is currently experiencing an eruption. This marks the 31st eruptive episode since Kilauea began erupting again in late December.
The volcano, one of the world's most active, is part of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and is not located in Honolulu, despite being part of the Hawaiian island chain. The eruption is taking place at two vents simultaneously.
Lava fountains, reaching about 300 meters sideways, have been observed from the Kilauea volcano. This phenomenon could be due to the formation of an inner cone before the start of the episode, similar to when one kinks a garden hose with their thumb, causing the water stream to bend.
Most lava fountain episodes since December 23 have lasted up to about a day, with pauses of at least several days in between. However, the current eruptive episode is expected to last around 12 to 15 hours, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS has also warned of potential health hazards from volcanic smog ("vog") and windblown threads of volcanic glass. These hazards can affect air quality and pose risks to residents and visitors in the area.
The Hawaiian island chain, a U.S. state, is roughly 3,700 kilometers southwest of the U.S. West Coast. The town of Volcano lies within the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii and near the active Kilauea volcano.
The Kilauea volcano stands at a height of 1,247 meters. Despite its activity, it remains a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness volcanic activity up close.
As always, it is important for anyone in the area to stay informed and follow any safety instructions issued by local authorities. The USGS continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
