Kilauea is once again erupting inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
At approximately 3:15 p.m. Sunday, the U.S. Geological Society’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported an eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kilauea’s summit, on the down dropped block to the east.
The eruption was preceded by a period of strong seismicity and rapid uplift of the summit.
As a result of the eruption, HVO has elevated Kilauea’s volcano alert level from “watch” to “warning” and its aviation color code from “orange” to “red” as the eruption and associated hazards are evaluated.
Webcam imagery shows fissures at the base of Halema‘uma‘u crater generating lava flows on the surface of the crater floor. The activity is confined to Halema‘uma‘u and hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses.
HVO said gases released by the eruption will cause volcanic smog downwind of Kilauea. People living near the park should try to avoid Pele’s hair and other lightweight volcanic glass fragments from the lava fountains that will fall downwind of the fissure vents, the observatory said. Strong winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances. Exposure to these volcanic particles can cause skin and eye irritation.
The previous eruption of Kilauea began June 8 and ended just 12 days later on June 19.
Vog information can be found online at vog.ivhhn.org.
HVO will continue to monitor this activity closely and report any significant changes in future notices.
To view webcams of the eruption, see https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm.