Hawaii's Kilauea volcano wows with lava fountains during latest eruptive episode
With the on-and-off lava fountains, Volcanoes National Park guests have been treated to amazing views from a safe distance. This round of lava fountains was the 12th since Dec. 23. Each continues for about 14 hours before pauses between events that last between one and 12 days.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spews 165-foot lava fountain
Kilauea's latest fountaining episode began on March 4 and marks the 12th since December. The USGS video shows lava fountaining from the Halemaʻumaʻu crater on March 5.
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is nearing a baker's dozen after its latest eruptive episode produced lava fountains in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, episode 12 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began on Tuesday morning when sporadic lava flows began alternating between the south and north cones. The episode ended just after 10:30 a.m. HST on Wednesday.
This round of lava fountains is the 12th since Dec. 23, according to the USGS. Each continues for about 14 hours before pauses between events that last between one and 12 days.
Lava fountains reached heights of 600 feet by Tuesday afternoon and continued until the north vent quit erupting just before 8:30 p.m. HST. Sustained fountains from the south vent continued through the overnight hours with heights of 200-400 feet before decreasing on Wednesday morning.
Fountaining from both vents continued on and off during the morning hours before both vents stopped erupting late Wednesday morning.
A view of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea in Hawaii.
With the on-and-off lava fountains, Volcanoes National Park guests have been treated to amazing views from a safe distance. However, National Park Service officials warned that volcanic activity could produce hazardous gases like sulfur dioxide. Those particles can be especially dangerous to those with heart or respiratory issues. The park posts daily sulfur dioxide air quality alerts, which can be found here.
An Orange aviation alert is in place because minor volcanic-ash emissions could be in the airspace around the volcano.
Those unable to make the trip to Hawaii can still see the magnificent volcano in action through USGS web cameras.
A view of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea in Hawaii. (U.S. Geological Survey)