The Kīlauea volcano began erupting around 2:30 a.m. Monday in Halemaʻumaʻu and the summit caldera in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

Half an hour before the eruption, there was increased earthquake activity below the summit.

The observatory raised Kīlauea’s volcano alert level from “Advisory” to “Warning” and its flight color code from yellow to red while assessing this eruption and associated hazards. But no houses are currently in danger.

The initial phases of eruptions are dynamic. Webcam images show a series of fissures erupting lava fountains and feeding lava flows at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu in Kaluapele (the summit caldera).

Activity is limited to the summit caldera and hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses.

Currently, satellite imagery and radar wind data indicate that east-northeast winds aloft will carry volcanic ash downstream into the Big Island’s Kaʻu District, with “very light” volcanic ash fall possible in communities such as Pahala, Wood Valley through about 6 p.m. Monday is , Nāʻālehu and Ocean View, according to the National Weather Service.

Repeated eruptions lead to greater accumulation of ash. Ash deposited on the ground is likely to be blown up by local winds, contributing to dust formation.

Avoid excessive contact with ash, which irritates eyes and respiratory tract. Individuals with respiratory sensitivity should take special precautions to minimize exposure.

Health and safety recommendations can be found on the Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard at https://vog.ivhhn.org.

Kīlauea’s last eruption was in September.

The Observatory will continue to closely monitor this activity and report any significant changes in future announcements.

It also maintains close contact with Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai’i County Civil Defense Agency. Visitor information can be found on the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.

For more information on the meaning of volcanic alert levels and aviation color codes, visit https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes