The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory of the U.S. Geological Survey reported that webcam images from Kilauea’s summit revealed a luminous presence, suggesting that an eruption was taking place within the Halemaumau crater located in the summit caldera.
On Wednesday, Kilauea, an extremely active volcano globally, resumed its eruption after a three-month break. The eruption took place within the Halemaumau crater, located in the summit caldera, and was confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.Â
Webcam images captured a glowing light emanating from Kilauea’s summit, signalling the ongoing volcanic activity. Fortunately, the eruption occurred within a national park on the Big Island, ensuring a safe distance from both people and structures. The eruption featured captivating displays of lava fountains, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of luminous lava.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
According to the observatory, the pictures depict cracks occurring at the bottom of the crater, causing streams of molten lava to form on the surface of the crater floor.
The observatory stated that before announcing the eruption, they noticed a rise in earthquake frequency and observed alterations in the way the ground was deforming at the summit starting on Tuesday evening. These changes indicated that magma was shifting beneath the surface.
According to Mike Zoeller, a geologist at the observatory, there is currently no indication of any activity occurring in the rift zones. He reassured that there is no imminent danger of a rift eruption posing a threat to the nearby communities on the island, with the possibility of lava flows or similar hazards. All the observed activity is confined to a restricted area within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
“The lava today is currently contained within the summit caldera, allowing for further production without posing a risk to homes or infrastructure,” explained Jessica Ferracane, spokesperson for the park.
She expressed satisfaction with such eruptions, as they are preferable for the park.
Ferracane also anticipated an influx of visitors due to the visibility of the eruption from various observation points.Â
She described the Kilauea overlook as a breathtaking sight this morning, with a vast lava lake emitting vibrant red molten lava and displaying several areas of vigorous fountaining, creating a truly mesmerizing scene.
According to Zoeller, the lava lake, which covered the crater floor with lava left over from previous volcanic eruptions, had a size of approximately 371 acres (150 hectares) by 6 a.m. It had a width of around 4,300 feet (1,300 meters).
Safety Measures
As word spread, the parking lots at the park were beginning to fill up, Zoeller mentioned. She anticipated long queues forming at the park entrance by evening. Ferracane noted that since the park operates 24/7, visitors can avoid the large crowds by visiting between 9 p.m. and sunrise.
For safety reasons, including the avoidance of volcanic gases, visitors were reminded by Ferracane to refrain from entering closed areas and to stick to designated trails while exploring.
Janice Wei, a resident of the nearby town of Volcano, experienced the impact of two minor earthquakes. Being a volunteer photographer for the park, she had the opportunity to witness towering fountains that she estimated to be around 150 feet (46 meters) high, occurring at approximately 4:30 a.m. She observed around 15 fountains, which gradually subsided by mid-morning.
In response to the volcanic activity, the alert level of the volcano was elevated to warning status, and the aviation colour code was changed to red.
Scientists are currently assessing the eruption and the potential risks associated with it. It should be noted that Kilauea, the second-largest volcano in Hawaii, had previously erupted from September 2021 until December of the same year.
Moreover, during two weeks in December, the island’s largest volcano, Mauna Loa, was also erupting.
Following a brief pause, Kilauea resumed its eruption in January and continued for 61 days, finally concluding in March. According to Zoeller, the ongoing eruption bears striking similarities to the previous three eruptions that have occurred since 2020.
The devastating eruption of Kilauea in 2018 destroyed over 700 homes. Before this significant event, Kilauea had been erupting since 1983, intermittently covering farmlands and residences with streams of lava. Occasionally, the lava would reach the ocean, leading to dramatic interactions between the molten material and the water.
