A scientist monitors the ongoing eruption at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano. Photo / US Geological Survey
Fresh lava fountains have spewed in spectacular fashion from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, US vulcanologists say, marking nearly a year since one of the world’s most active volcanoes began erupting.
“Sustained lava fountains approximately 50-100 feet [15-30m] in height are currently erupting from the north vent,” the US Geological Services Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said yesterday, adding that “fountain heights are increasing rapidly”.
The latest episode in the ongoing eruption - the 38th such surge of molten rock and gases from deep underground - began at 8.45am local time (10.45pm NZT) USGS said.
Such activity has been intermittent since an eruption began on December 23, 2024, USGS said, and typically continues for “a day or less”.
All the eruptive activity is “confined to Halema’uma’u crater within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park”, the service said, and local airports are not expected to be affected by volcanic gas or ash.
Officials are alert for high levels of volcanic gas and a phenomenon called Pele’s hair, in which strands of volcanic glass “often produced by lava fountaining activity” are carried more than 15km from the vent. They can fall on the ground within 1-3km of the vents.
Kilauea has been very active since 1983 and erupts relatively regularly.
It is one of six active volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands, which also include Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world.
Kilauea is much smaller, but is far more active and regularly wows helicopter-riding tourists who come to see its red-hot shows.
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