Hawaiian Volcano Erupts: Lava Reaches Empire State Building Heights!

On Sunday evening, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano showcased an impressive spectacle, propelling lava fountains more than 1,000 feet high into the sky. This six-hour volcanic outburst concluded at 10:25 p.m. local time and was the twenty-third such event since the sequence started back in December.

As per the findings of the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), The occurrence commenced at 4:15 p.m. local time as slender streams of lava erupted from the volcano’s northern vent.

In as little as thirty minutes, the jets morphed into colossal spouts soaring above 1,000 feet, according to HVO, nearly matching the height of the Empire State Building or approximately double the stature of the Washington Monument.

A second geyser appeared from the southern vent an hour afterward, reportedly soaring up to 800 feet high, as per HVO observations.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory stated that the intense eruption generated substantial lava flows which engulfed roughly half of the Halema'uma'u crater floor. Their data indicated that the volcanic plume from this event ascended over 14,000 feet above ground level.

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Although the eruption may seem concerning, HVO experts assure that there’s currently no imminent threat to neighboring communities from the lava flows. All volcanic activities are confined to a restricted zone inside Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, with no extraordinary events reported elsewhere on the volcano.

Officials warn that the eruption may still cause various dangers that residents should be aware of. Sulfur dioxide released by the volcano forms "vog" (volcanic smog) upon reacting with the air, as stated by HVO.

The eruption also generates "Pele's hair," which refers to hazardous threads of volcanic glass floating in the atmosphere and capable of causing injuries to human skin and eyes, according to warnings from HVO. Moreover, elevated concentrations of volcanic gases in the vicinity present a danger to those close by, particularly affecting individuals who have respiratory issues, the agency noted.

Scientists from HVO suggest that another eruption could occur shortly. Since December 2024, the volcano has been exhibiting an activity cycle with eruptions happening roughly every seven days. Following these events, the volcanic region experiences inflation as molten rock accumulates beneath the surface, setting the stage for subsequent outbursts.

To get the most recent updates and visitor details, visit the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park website at www.nps.gov/havo .