Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi started bursting with lava and belching out volcanic gas in the early hours of Monday morning, providing onlookers with a red-hot spectacle. The eruption began around 2:20 AM local time on December 23, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Lake-loads of lava have already been pumped out of the volcano. The area currently covered is approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet) deep and spans around 2.6 square kilometers (1 square mile) of the caldera, which is named Kaluapele. Elsewhere, fountains of lava have been estimated to spew up to 90 meters (300 feet) in the air.
The current Volcano Alert Level is currently Watch and the Aviation Color Code is Orange, meaning the hazard risk is limited. While there’s likely no immediate threat to human life or infrastructure, the volcano is pumping out a “very high” level of volcanic gas. These fumes can be rich in sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas that can be irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. As such, people with breathing or heart issues, as well as those who are pregnant, should be particularly wary.
Despite the risk warning, the scene has attracted some significant crowds and packed nearby carparks. You can still visit the area at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, just be sure to follow the precautions available on the NPS website.
One of those lucky enough to witness the eruption was Aaron Monson, a local man who told Storyful that he and his wife “live close enough to the volcano to see the glow when it starts erupting at night.” His wife spotted the red glow from the volcano in the early hours of Monday, leading them to head to the park to capture some stunning footage (above).
The lava flows from Kīlauea are typically basaltic, which is low in viscosity like thick syrup, and produces glowing red-orange rivers of molten rock that can ooze for long distances.
Located on the southeastern coast of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The volcano erupted nearly continuously from 1983 to 2018 and has since displayed periodic activity, with eruptions occurring sporadically in recent years. Its name means “much spreading” or “to spew” in Hawaiian, reflecting its tendency to frequently erupt.
The region is also home to the nēnē, a rare Hawaiian goose. If you’re heading to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to catch a glimpse of the eruption, be sure to drive carefully and avoid getting too close to the birds, as you could disrupt their precious mating season.