Stunning Photos Capture Lava Erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, one of the world’s most active, erupted spectacularly on Tuesday for the second consecutive day, sending molten rock soaring into the air. The eruption occurred within the summit caldera of the volcano, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, and posed no threat to nearby homes.
The eruption began early Monday morning when fissures opened in the caldera floor, launching lava 295 feet (90 meters) into the air. The lava formed dramatic fountains before spreading across 650 acres (263 hectares). According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the molten rock was about 1 yard (1 meter) thick.
While the eruption paused briefly Monday afternoon, lava fountains resumed Tuesday morning, and scientists predict fluctuating activity in the coming days. Fortunately, the eruption occurred in a restricted area of the park, closed to the public since 2007 due to safety concerns like crater wall instability and rockfalls. Visitors to the park were able to observe the eruption from a safe distance at an overlook.
This is the sixth eruption in Kilauea’s summit caldera since 2020, adding to the volcano’s ongoing activity. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea also erupted in June and September of this year.
