Hawaii’s most active volcano produced stunning lava fountains that soared as high as 700 feet (215 meters) on Thursday during the latest phase of its ongoing eruption.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Kilauea resumed its continuous lava flow from the summit caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday morning, following a weeklong pause. The molten rock remained within the park and posed no threat to residential areas.
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The 14th episode concluded Thursday afternoon after lasting 28 hours. During its final seven hours, lava fountains reached heights of up to 600 feet (180 meters), as reported by the USGS' Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Early in the afternoon, a webcam livestream captured vivid, bright-red lava fountains, but later, only thick plumes of smoke were visible.
Kilauea has been erupting intermittently since December 23, with over a dozen start-and-stop episodes. The shortest lasted 13 hours, while the longest continued for eight days.
Each eruption has sent lava shooting skyward from caldera vents, creating a striking spectacle for visitors to the park.
Local families on spring break were among those gathered at various viewpoints in the national park, said park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane.
“There is a lot of excitement in the air, and visitors are gasping in amazement, smiling from ear to ear, and walking briskly or even running from parking lots to viewpoints, hoping to catch a glimpse" of the lava activity before it subsided, she said in an email shortly before the fountains ceased.
This marks the sixth recorded eruption at Kilauea’s summit since 2020.
Hawaii volcano again puts tall lava fountains on display in latest eruption episode
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea also erupted in June and September 2024.
The park, located on Hawaii’s Big Island, lies approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Honolulu.