Volcano Erupts Again: Kilauea Spews Lava and Gas
Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has roared back to life, spewing lava and volcanic gas into the air. The Guardian reports that the volcano on Hawaii‘s Big Island started erupting Monday morning local time after a period of increased seismic activity.
The eruption is currently happening within the volcano’s caldera, an isolated area within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Ken Hon, the lead scientist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, described the lava flow as "rapid" in a live broadcast.
Webcams showed lava flowing out through fissures in the crater and geysers shooting up to 80 meters in the air early Monday morning. However, the immediate threat is volcanic smog – or "vog" – which contains sulfur dioxide and can exacerbate health issues for those with respiratory conditions.
"Vog" can travel considerable distances and reach unprepared communities, the observatory warned. Hawaii County Civil Defense officials urge residents to be vigilant and contact authorities if they detect unusual levels of smoke or sulfur-like odors.
Kilauea has been erupting since 1983, with brief pauses in its activity. The volcano last erupted in 2018, lasting for five months and destroying over 700 homes. Scientists do not expect this new eruption to reach such magnitudes, but they continue to monitor the situation closely.
