One of essentially the most energetic volcanoes on this planet erupted once more early Monday, with lava fountains stretching greater than 200 ft and a plume of poisonous gasoline hovering above Hawaii, officers stated.
Kilauea’s eruption started round 2 a.m. and “might go for some time,” stated Ken Hon, head scientist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
There had been no quick threats to infrastructure, the U.S. Geological Survey stated.
Hon stated “vog” — a probably dangerous mixture of water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide — was anticipated in elevated ranges in areas south and west of the volcano within the coming days. The volcanic smog is predicted to be extreme, and he inspired residents to remain indoors.
Lava fountains as excessive as 262 ft had been seen at 4:30 a.m., the company stated, and “lava bombs” and different molten materials had been being ejected from the crater’s ground. As of 5:30 a.m., the company estimated that 400 acres of the caldera ground was coated in lava.
The volcano, in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, has been erupting since 1983. Its most up-to-date eruptions had been in June and September, Hon stated.
Dozens of houses had been destroyed after an eruption in 2018 that pressured hundreds to flee.