Dramatic Lava Displays Soar from Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii

In an awe-inspiring display, Kilauea, one of the planets most active volcanoes, shot streams of lava soaring more than 1,000 feet into the Hawaiian sky, marking its 26th such spectacle since December.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that this fiery event began at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday. The initial eruptions were marked by small, dispersed spatters and creeping lava flows. However, as the hours progressed, these phenomena gained intensity, accompanied by a notable uptick in seismic vibrations.

Around 1:40 a.m. on Friday, the north vent of Kilauea was spewing lava in excess of 1,000 feet high, in a dramatic escalation observed by the observatory. By 1:55 a.m., the volcanic action sustained lava jets reaching up to 800 feet as documented by the observatory’s cameras capturing this immense natural spectacle.

These towering fountains are fueling a lava flow contained within the Halema'uma'u caldera, located at the volcano's summit.

Besides the dazzling lava display, Kilauea also expelled a towering volcanic plume, reaching approximately 15,000 feet into the air. This plume posed potential threats, consisting of volcanic glass fibers known as Pele’s hair, and tephra, or volcanic rock fragments, which, along with volcanic gases, could impact areas downwind. As of now, winds carry these potential hazards southward from the caldera.

Since December, this episode marks the 26th in Kilauea's recent series of eruptions, most typically lasting under 24 hours and punctuated by natural pauses that span several days.

Found on Hawaii's Big Island within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea stands alongside six other active volcanoes in the region, asserting its dominance as one of the world’s most persistently eruptive volcanoes.

Another notable volcano within the park is Mauna Loa, recognized as the largest active volcano globally, underscoring Hawaii's reputation as a hotspot for volcanic activity.