Kilauea Eruption After 2 Months of Silence Sends Warning Status to WATCH/ORANGE, Volcanic Smog Possible

Kilauea, an active volcano in Hawaii, resumes eruption after a two-month pause, leading authorities to upgrade the warning level to WATCH/ORANGE and issue alerts for potential volcanic haze.

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

After a two-month hiatus, Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, started erupting again on Sunday, exhibiting glowing lava in a Big Island national park. The eruption is said to be safely away from people and buildings.

According to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, the Kilauea summit eruption was seen in the late afternoon. The observatory also said that volcanic smog will be caused downwind of Kilauea by gases released by the eruption. The observatory advised those living close to the park to steer clear of volcanic particles released into the atmosphere by the eruption.

Due to the makeup of volcanic glass and rock pieces, visitors visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island were warned that there would be a chance to encounter a coating of powdery to gritty ash.

Current Alert Level and Color Code: WATCH/ORANGE

As experts assessed the eruption and related risks, the volcano's alert level was upgraded to warning status, and the aviation color code changed to RED. The alert level and warning were then changed to WATCH/ORANGE in a USGS update at 6 AM today.

The Kilauea summit eruption, which started at 3:15 PM on September 10, is still going strong this morning, September 11. In the summit caldera of Kilauea, only the down-dropped block and Halemaumau crater are experiencing eruptive activity. Neither the East Rift Zone nor the Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea have reported any significant activity.

From the eastern edge of the Halema'uma'u crater floor to the east wall of the down-dropped block, the line of vents extends for about 0.8 miles. While still high, effusion rates seem to be declining from their initial eruptive rate. Since the eruption began, the heights of the lava fountains have fallen, but they are still up to roughly 32-50 feet high this morning.

A large portion of the surface is covered in active lava that has erupted from fissures on the down-dropped block and is flowing westward toward the Halema'uma'u crater. The laser rangefinder was pointed towards a western region of Halema'uma'u crater, far from the recent eruptive activity, and it detected an addition of lava to the crater floor of around 8 feet.

Viewing the Eruption

Viewers may witness the present eruption at Kilauea volcano from a few designated spots within the Halema'uma'u crater. Conditions can change at any time, even though lava may be visible from various locations and overlooks encircling Kaluapele (Kilauea caldera) within the national park. Any eruption viewing is frequently prevented by variations in eruptive activity and meteorological circumstances like fog or rain.

The three locations for observing eruptions that are advised are the Kilauea viewpoint, Kupinai Pali, and the viewpoint near Keanakakoi. Although there is numbered parking available, park officials caution tourists that it is limited and that most visitors have to hike to reach the viewing areas.