HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — On Monday, the iconic Kilauea volcano, recognized as one of the globe’s most active volcanic sites, started to manifest lava activity on Hawaii’s Big Island.
The eruption is primarily localized within the summit caldera of the volcano and is taking place in a remote section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to reports from the Hawaii Volcano Observatory.
Around 2 a.m. local time, heightened seismic activity was detected, and within half an hour, live webcam feeds captured images of lava breaking through the ground and shooting up in spectacular fountains.
The most pressing concern stemming from this eruption is the potential for volcanic smog, known as “vog,” to spread to residential areas situated downwind.
This smog is composed of sulfur dioxide, which can exacerbate health conditions for individuals suffering from asthma, respiratory ailments, or heart-related diseases.
Due to safety risks like unstable crater walls, ground fissures, and rockfalls, the specific area experiencing this eruption has been off-limits to the public since 2007.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the peaks of two exceedingly active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, with Kilauea having previously erupted in both June and September of this year.