The Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii has exploded back to life after a brief pause, ejecting lava up to 600 feet into the air. According to USGS and Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO), “Fountaining during Episode 12 is now occurring at both the north and south vents. Fountains have reached heights of 600 feet and flows have covered approximately a third of the Halema`uma`u crater floor. The volcano began an eruptive period in mid-December, with the 12 start/stop events lasting up to a few days each. HVO has already reported that lava isn’t ejecting quite as high as it did at the beginning of this 12th episode and a break followed by a fresh eruption is likely in the coming days.
The eruption is contained entirely within the summit caldera of Kilauea which is located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park features prime viewing areas of the eruption to visitors, although numerous hazards remain.
“Viewing an eruption is a once in a lifetime experience, but it comes with risks. By being prepared, following safety guidelines, and staying in designated areas, you can safely enjoy this incredible natural phenomenon,” the National Park Service cautioned visitors. If people come to Hawaii to view this sight, they recommend:
- – Never enter closed or restricted areas—established eruption viewing overlooks are in place for your safety.
- – Stay on marked trails and overlooks.
- – Stay informed about current volcanic activity.
- – Hazardous volcanic gases pose a risk, especially to those with heart or respiratory issues, infants, children, and pregnant women; check air quality alert before visiting.
- – Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. If you are visiting at night, bring warm clothes and raingear; check the weather before visiting.
- – Keep a safe distance from earth cracks, cliff edges, vents, fumaroles, and lava flows.
- – Carry a first aid kit, flashlight, and extra water.
- – Use protective gear such as masks and goggles during ashfall.
- – Follow ranger guidelines and evacuation routes during unsafe volcanic activity.
HVO says the primary hazard of concern at this time is high levels of volcanic gas which can have far-reaching effects down-wind of the summit, generally in a southwest direction. The plume of volcanic gas and fine volcanic particles is reaching elevations of 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level and winds are transporting it to the southwest, within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
According to HVO, their mission is to assess hazards, issue warnings, advance scientific understanding, reduce the impacts of volcanic eruptions, and communicate results to the public, emergency managers, and the scientific community.
In the U.S., the USGS and volcano observatory units are responsible for issuing Aviation Codes and Volcanic Activity Alert Levels. Aviation Codes are green, yellow, orange, or red. When ground-based instrumentation is insufficient to establish that a volcano is at a typical background level of activity, it is simply “unassigned.” While green means typical activity associated with a non-eruptive state, yellow means a volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background levels. When a volcano exhibits heightened or escalating unrest with the increased potential of eruption, it jumps to orange. Finally, when an eruption is imminent with significant emission of volcanic ash expected in the atmosphere or an eruption is underway with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the code becomes red. Volcanic Activity Alert levels are normal, advisory, watch, or warning. As with aviation codes, if data is insufficient, it is simply labeled as “unassigned.” When the volcano is at typical background activity in a non-eruptive state, it is considered normal. If the volcano exhibits signs of elevated unrest above background level, an advisory is issued. If a volcano exhibits heightened or escalating unrest, a watch is issued while a warning is issued when a hazardous eruption is imminent.
Because the volcano is following a routine ongoing eruption phase, the Aviation Code and Alert Level is currently ORANGE/WATCH.
