Kilauea is erupting on Hawaii’s Big Island

Kilauea is erupting

According to the USGS, Kilauea volcano – one of Earth’s most active volcanoes, located on the Big Island of Hawaii – is erupting. Since the volcano began erupting at approximately 3:15 p.m. HST on September 10, 2023 (1:15 UTC September 11), USGS reported:

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory observed eruptive activity in Kilauea summit webcam images, and from field reports. [The reports indicated] that an eruption has commenced within Halema’uma’u crater and on the down dropped block to the east in Kilauea’s summit caldera, within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

This latest eruption for Kilauea comes after a two-month pause. AP is reporting that the volcano is:

… displaying glowing lava that is a safe distance from people and structures in a national park on the Big Island.

This is the third eruption this year, after activity in January and June. Previously, Kilauea had erupted from September 2021 until last December. And a 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed more than 700 homes.

Photo and video chronology of Kilauea’s latest eruption, here

Smog alert

The Hawaii Volcano Observatory said that gases released by the eruption will cause volcanic smog downwind of Kilauea. Therefore, according to AP, the observatory said that:

People living near the park should try to avoid volcanic particles spewed into the air by the eruption …

The volcano’s alert level was raised to warning status and the aviation color code went to red as scientists evaluate the eruption and associated hazards.

See the moment it began erupting again

#HVO's B1cam captures the start of the eruption at the summit of #Kilauea volcano at 3:13 pm on Sep 10, 2023. Watch as a lava fountain bursts from a degassing area in the eastern portion of Halema?uma?u crater. More photos & videos at https://t.co/XEfLt2jAKQ pic.twitter.com/o2xLjcMgUj

— USGS Volcanoes? (@USGSVolcanoes) September 11, 2023

Bottom line: Kilauea is erupting, following a two-month pause. The volcano – on the Big Island of Hawaii – began erupting Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Via USGS

Via AP