Scientists said the eruption was contained within the national park and would not pose a threat to residents nearby. Park authorities said they expected a surge of visitors, urging them to adhere to COVID-19 measures.
A large lava lake formed in the crater of the Kilauea volcanoImage: USGS via AP/picture alliance
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The Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawaii began erupting late Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. Footage of the volcano's crater showed lava fountains covering its floor and clouds of volcanic gas rising into the air.
"What was once a cooling lava lake is now a new fissure eruption," USGS Volcanoes said in a tweet.
Is the Kilauea eruption going to cause any damage?
The volcano sits within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, away from residential and commercial areas, so it does not pose any immediate threat to the public, authorities said.
"We're not seeing any indications that lava is moving into the lower part of the east rift zone where people live. Currently, all the activity is within the park,'' said Ken Hon, USGS scientist in charge of Hawaii Volcano Observatory.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane told the AP that she expected the eruption to draw tens of thousands of visitors to the park.
"This eruption is going to draw many people to the park, we're already seeing people come into the park, drive-in after dark tonight,'' Ferracane said.
"Really need people to remember that we are in the middle of a pandemic and they need to stay safe and to keep us safe, too,'' she added.
"If you're sick, please don't come. Come visit another day. Enjoy the views from the webcam,'' Ferracane stressed. "We really want to not have these current eruption conditions increase the spread of COVID.''
Kilauea releases massive plume
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What about previous eruptions?
Although Kilauea does not pose a threat right now, this has not always been the case. The volcano's last major eruption in 2018 destroyed more than 700 homes and displaced thousands of residents. The lava flow reduced landmarks, streets, and neighborhoods to a vast field of blackened boulders and volcanic shards.
The activity lasted four months, as Kilauea spewed enough lava to fill 320,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Its lava buried an area more than half the size of Manhattan up to 80 feet (24 meters) deep.
Kilauea began erupting in 1983 and since then, its streams of lava have occasionally rolled over rural farms and homes, with the lava also sometimes reaching the ocean.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano eruption causes weeks of destruction
Kilauea's lava flows have threatened thousands of people's homes in rural Hawaii. Over 40 buildings have been destroyed so far by the eruptions, with experts unsure of when the volcano will calm down.
Image: Reuters/T. Sylvester
Lava meets the sea
Lava from the Kilauea volcano pours into the ocean from Hawaii's main island, while volcanologist Jessica Johnson monitors the developments.
Image: Privat
Lava meets geothermal plant
A lava flow from the Kilauea volcano approaches the Puna geothermal power plant on Hawaii's Big Island. The plant, which provides 25 percent of the island's electricity, has been shut down due to the encroaching lava. It is believed to be the first time a lava flow has forced the closing of a geothermal plant.
Image: Getty Images/M. Tama
One of the world's most active volcanos
Kilauea, which is one of the most active volcanos in the world, has been erupting, oozing lava, and spewing toxic gases for weeks on Hawaii's Big Island. Experts aren't certain when Kilauea will calm down again.
Image: Reuters/T. Sylvester
Kilauea starts smoking on May 3
Around 2,000 people were evacuated from the area around the Kilauea volcano after it erupted and a lava fissure opened on May 3. In the weeks that followed, new eruptions and lava streams threatened the homes of residents located miles away.
Large streams of lava rising up from huge cracks in the earth threatened neighborhoods located near the volcano. The molten rock spilled over on to streets and has destroyed over 40 homes and other buildings.
Image: Reuters/Handout/USGS
Poisonous gasses and glass particle steam
Thousands of residents voluntarily left their homes due to high levels of toxic sulfur dioxide gas that spewed out of vents in the volcanic fissures. Officials also warned residents not to go near the lava that has poured into the ocean — the phenomenon causes the formation of clouds of hydrochloric acid and steam carrying fine glass particles.
Image: Reuters/T. Sylvester
Massive damage to roads
The eruptions and volcanic fissures created massive damage to roads and highways. Two lava streams crossed over a main coastal highway that is used as an escape route for residents.
Image: Reuters/USGS
Playing golf with an ash cloud
Other locals and tourists took a more relaxed approach to the volcanic eruptions. A group of people finished playing a round of golf while others take pictures of a massive ash cloud spewing from Kilauea.
