HONOLULU (AP) — Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, resumed eruption on Wednesday after a three-month hiatus. The eruption is taking place within the Halemaumau crater in the summit caldera of Kilauea, safely located within a national park on the Big Island of Hawaii.
The eruption was detected through webcam images that showed a glow at the summit of Kilauea, indicating lava activity within the crater. Images revealed cracks at the bottom of the crater, from which lava flows were seen on the surface of the crater floor, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Prior to the eruption notice, the observatory noted increased earthquake activity and changes in ground deformation patterns at the summit, indicating movement of magma beneath the surface.
However, geologists at the observatory have stated that there are no signs of activity in the rift zones, which means there is no expectation of a rift eruption threatening communities with lava flows.
In summary, Kilauea’s eruption is occurring within the Halemaumau crater, posing no immediate threat to nearby communities or resulting in lava flows towards populated areas.
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All activity is contained within a closed section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
“The lava at this time is all contained within… the summit caldera. So plenty of room for it to continue without threatening any homes or infrastructure,” said park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane. “So that’s the way we like our eruptions here.”
Park officials are preparing for crowds to arrive as visitors can witness the eruption from various overlooks.
“The Kilauea overlook was amazing this morning,” Ferracane said of the impressive lava flow. “It was molten red lava. There are different areas of quite robust fountaining. It’s just really, really beautiful.”
The lava flow is covering the crater floor over previous lava flows, measuring about 371 acres (150 hectares) and reaching a height of about 4,300 feet (1,300 meters), according to geologist Paul Zoeller.
Word is spreading, and parking lots are beginning to fill up at the park, Ferracane said, anticipating long lines to enter the park by evening. Visitors have the option to beat the crowds by visiting between 9pm and sunrise, as the park is open 24 hours.
Ferracane reminded visitors to stay out of closed areas and to remain on marked trails for safety reasons, including avoiding gasses from the eruption.
Residents of Pahala, located 20 miles (30 kilometers) downwind from Kilauea’s summit, reported a light dusting of gritty fine ash and “Pele’s hair” — glass particles formed when lava is ejected from a vent and rapidly cools — named after the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, according to the observatory.
Two small earthquakes were felt in the area. Janice Wei, a volunteer photographer for the park who lives in the nearby town of Volcano, witnessed fountains reaching about 150 feet (46 meters) high around 4:30 a.m. She estimated seeing about 15 fountains, which were diminishing by mid-morning.
Fountain heights decreased to 13 feet to 30 feet (4 meters to 9 meters) in the afternoon, as reported by the observatory.
The eruption and associated hazards led to an elevation of the volcano’s alert level to warning status, and the aviation color code was raised to red.
Kilauea, Hawaii’s second-largest volcano, experienced an eruption from September 2021 until December. Additionally, Mauna Loa, Hawaii’s largest volcano, has been erupting on the Big Island since December.
This current eruption is following a similar pattern to the previous ones seen since 2020, according to Zoeller.
During the major eruption in 2018, over 700 homes were destroyed. Prior to that, Kilauea had been erupting since 1983, with lava flows occasionally covering structures and homes. At times, the lava would reach the ocean, resulting in spectacular interactions with the water
Thiessen is documented from Chuck, Alaska.
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