Kilauea Volcano Erupts on Hawaii’s Big Island
Amber lava erupted 200 meters into the air as Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes located on Hawaii’s Big Island, began erupting on Thursday.
Lava fountains started erupting from the volcano after 11 am local time, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). By Thursday evening, plumes of smoke and lava flowing downslope were visible on a livestream camera. The episode has produced 3.6 million cubic yards of lava so far, USGS reported.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Closed
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a popular destination for tourists interested in volcanic activity, was closed on Thursday due to the eruption.
The National Park Service advised visitors to wear long sleeves, long pants, and eye protection to reduce exposure to volcanic ash or tephra, which are small glassy volcanic fragments.
Ashfall Warning Issued
The National Weather Service issued an ashfall warning for the southeastern region of the Big Island until midnight local time.
“Large foam-like tephra up to football size may fall near the summit and up to several miles downwind,” the agency wrote. Small particles of the volcanic material could cause eye and respiratory irritation.
Kilauea’s Eruption History
Kilauea has erupted dozens of times since 1952, according to the US Geological Survey. The durations of past eruptions have ranged from two weeks to over a year.
A recent eruption in 2018 was significant, with lava flows engulfing homes and displacing residents.
Visitor Information and Safety Precautions
Over a million guests visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park annually. The area near the eruption site has been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards such as ground cracking and landslides that could expose hot, molten material, according to the USGS.
