Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts for 9th Time, Sends 330-Foot Lava Fountains Into the Air

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has erupted for the ninth time this week, sending towering lava fountains into the sky. As of now, no injuries or damage have been reported.

The eruption began at approximately 10:16 a.m. HST on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has been erupting intermittently since December 23, and this latest episode marks its ninth eruption during that period.

By early Wednesday morning, lava fountains were reaching heights of 16 to 200 feet. The USGS shared a livestream of the volcanic activity, showing the dramatic scene. The eruption, known as Episode 9, occurred on the Big Island of Hawaii, following smaller spatter fountains that began early on Monday and intensified overnight.

Officials have stated there is currently no threat to residents or structures, as the eruption is occurring in a relatively remote area. However, the eruption of Kilauea in July 2018 caused widespread destruction, destroying hundreds of homes and buildings. Only a few injuries were reported during the volcanic activity that began in May of that year.

This latest eruption occurred in a closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located nearly 200 miles southeast of Honolulu. By 10:45 a.m. HST, lava fountains from Kilauea’s north vent were estimated to be around 330 feet high, covering about a quarter of the Halema’uma’u crater floor. By 10:50 a.m. HST, a “slow effusion” of lava was observed from the volcano’s south vent.

The name Kilauea comes from the Hawaiian language, meaning “spewing” or “much spreading.” Since the eruption began in December, each volcanic episode has lasted anywhere from 13 hours to 8 days, with pauses of 24 hours to 12 days in between.

In September 2023, Kilauea erupted for the third time, with fountains reaching around 165 feet high. More recently, in November 2022, both Kilauea and Mauna Loa (the largest active volcano) erupted simultaneously for the first time since 1984.

The current hazards associated with the eruption include volcanic gas emissions and windblown volcanic glass (Pele’s Hair), which could impact the national park and nearby communities. According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the volcanic gas emissions primarily consist of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.