Kilauea erupts again, alarming residents and sparking urgent safety concerns
- Lava began bubbling through the crust of Kilauea, located on Hawaii's Big Island, around 2:30 a.m. local time on December 23, 2024.
- The eruption led to a 'code red' alert due to high levels of volcanic gas and increased seismic activity in the area.
- The Kilauea eruption is part of an ongoing pattern, with the volcano having seen multiple eruptions in the past year.
On December 23, 2024, Hawaii's Kilauea volcano commenced its eruption at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, following a three-month pause. The eruption was confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory after detecting increased seismic activity. The eruption occurred within the Halemaumau Crater, located in a remote section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Webcam footage showed substantial lava fountains reaching heights of over 262 feet, indicating a violent outpouring of molten rock from the summit caldera. The U.S. Geological Survey raised a 'code red' alert shortly after the lava began to emerge due to heightened earthquake counts beneath the surface. Seismic activity at Kilauea had seen a significant uptick in the days prior, which included approximately 100 small earthquakes. Since the volcano is known as one of the most active in the world, concerns about potential hazardous gases, primarily sulfur dioxide, were raised by scientists. These gases pose health risks to nearby residents, especially those with respiratory problems. The previous eruptions of Kilauea occurred in September and June 2024, after similar seismic activities were reported. The area surrounding the volcano has been closed to the public since 2007 due to safety concerns related to crater instability and rockfalls. The volcanic activity is closely monitored by the observatory to assess risks continually. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the most active volcanoes globally, including Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The significance of this eruption lies not only in its volcanic activity but also in the environmental impact due to 'vog,' a form of volcanic smog caused by gas emissions interacting with sunlight and atmospheric particles. This could affect air quality in downwind communities. Monitoring efforts continue as officials seek to balance public safety with ecological considerations. The eruption from Kilauea is expected to influence current volcanic patterns in the region.