Another eruption imminent at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, USGS says
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, one of the most active in the world, is about to erupt again, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The current series of eruption sat Kilauea have been occurring since December 2024.
Over the weekend, periodic lava overflows began spewing from the south vent of Kilauea, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Dozens over overflows from the summit vents have occurred since Friday morning, according to the USGS.
In addition, plumes of gas are visible from both the south and north vents, the USGS said.
Models suggest that the next eruption, which would be episode 37, could occur by Tuesday, according to the USGS.
Some of the eruptions in the latest series have been spectacular, with lava fountains reaching up to 1,500 feet.
Episode 35 produced the highest single fountain seen during this eruption so far, according to the USGS. So much lava was expelled that it covered nearly two-thirds of the floor of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater, which is located at the Kilauea summit, inside the volcano's caldera.
The USGS has issued a code orange for Kilauea, also known as a volcano watch, indicating an eruption is either likely or occurring, but with no, or minor, ash.
Concerns include high levels of volcanic gas due to the potential for far-reaching impacts downwind, as well as Pele's hair – the term for strands of volcanic glass produced by lava fountaining activity – which can be carried more than 10 miles from the volcano's vent.
Tephra, or hot glassy volcanic fragments, as well as volcanic ash, pumice, scoria and reticulite can fall on the ground within one to three miles of the eruptive vents, the USGS said.
Various volcanic fragments have been known to fall on Highway 11, west of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Instability, ground cracking and rockfalls are present around the Kīlauea caldera, which is why that area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been closed since 2007.
