Located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Kilauea volcano has once again come to life, marking the seventh recorded eruption in recent weeks. The eruption, which began on December 23 in a crater at Kilauea's summit, has been characterized by intermittent pauses followed by periods of increased activity.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the eruption resumed on Monday, with small spatter fountains gradually intensifying into sustained fountaining. Fountains on the north side of the volcano are currently reaching heights of 100 to 120 feet (30 to 40 meters) and are feeding multiple lava streams. Additionally, a smaller fountain on the south side has led to the emergence of a small lava flow.
Each episode of eruption since December 23 has lasted between 13 hours to eight days, with corresponding pauses ranging from less than 24 hours to 12 days. The current episode is expected to continue for approximately 10 to 20 hours, according to the observatory.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to both Kilauea and Mauna Loa, offers public overlooks that provide a vantage point for witnessing the ongoing eruption. Fortunately, the lava flow is not currently posing a threat to nearby homes or infrastructure.
The Kilauea volcano is renowned as one of the world's most active volcanoes, and its recent activity serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the Earth's geology. Visitors to the park are advised to exercise caution and follow any safety guidelines issued by park authorities as they observe this natural phenomenon.
