Kilauea Volcano Eruption Update: Latest Episode and Monitoring by USGS
The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park has been actively erupting for almost a year, with the latest episode expected to be the 37th since last December. The eruptions are characterized by fountains of lava shooting up into the sky, attracting visitors to witness the volcanic activity. The current overflow from Kilauea's two vents began on Friday and continued over the weekend, with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring the situation closely. The agency anticipates the eruption to peak between Sunday and Tuesday.
USGS has been providing regular updates on the volcanic activity, with a livestream showing rivers of lava flowing down the volcano and thick smoke rising from the ground. Despite visible gas emissions containing sulfur dioxide, the levels are within the expected range for an eruption pause. The agency reported at least 24 overflows from Kilauea's south vent during the current episode, with dome-shaped fountains reaching heights of about 30 feet.
During the last eruption in November, lava fountains from Kilauea's vents reached heights of 1,200 feet and 750 feet, respectively. The eruption released nearly 11 million cubic yards of lava, with an average combined rate of over 600 cubic yards per second from both vents. The lava flows covered approximately 80% of the Halemaumau crater where the vents are located.
The volcanic activity at Kilauea continues to draw interest from visitors and scientists alike, as the volcano remains one of the most active in the world. The USGS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the ongoing eruption, ensuring the safety of visitors to the national park.