What’s new

One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea, has poured 260-foot-high lava fountains across Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in its latest update that the eruption “has stabilized within the crater and there are no immediate threats to infrastructure.”

Newsweek has emailed the US Geological Survey (USGS) for comment.

Why it matters

Kilauea is considered one of the most consistently active volcanoes on earth; Regular outbreaks have been documented since 1983.

This event marks the latest eruption following previous volcanic activity in June and September this year. Although the eruption is currently limited to the restricted area of ​​Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it raises significant health concerns through the emission of volcanic gases.

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 reshaped the summit area.

What you should know

Kilauea erupted at 6:30 a.m. local time in Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the summit caldera in a closed area of ​​Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, after first erupting around 2:00 a.m

At that time, “vents continued to erupt on the floor of the southwestern portion of the summit caldera,” the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

The USGS declared the outbreak “stabilized” and lowered the alert level from “Warning” to “Watch,” indicating that the outbreak is ongoing but poses a reduced threat.

The incident’s aviation color code, a system warning of volcanic ash, was also changed from red to orange, meaning emissions are limited and there is less risk to aviation.

High concentrations of volcanic gas “which may have widespread impacts downwind (generally southwest) of the peak” are the “major hazard of concern,” the USGS said.

Fine volcanic particles and the plume of volcanic gas reached altitudes of 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level Tuesday morning and were transported southwest by winds.

What people say

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (official release) said: “The opening phases of eruptions are dynamic. Webcam images show a series of fissures erupting lava fountains that feed lava flows at the foot of Halemaʻumaʻu in Kaluapele.”

A statement from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park said: “Dangerous volcanic gases are pouring out of the crater, posing 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 aviation alert level/color code accordingly.

“If there is a significant change in volcanic activity, a new volcanic activity notice will be issued,” it said.