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The Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii has erupted.
(EPA / USGS)
Residents of the Big Island of Hawaii were warned to stay indoors for their safety, following the eruption of the Kilauea volcano due to a series of earthquakes in the area. Spectators have been warned to avoid the crater due to dangerous gases rising from the fissures.
The earthquakes occurred on Sunday night, around 10 p.m. local time, with a 4.0 magnitude earthquake reported. The United States Geological Survey estimated that the earthquake was located below the southern flank of the volcano, while the eruption was located in the Halemaumau crater. The initial eruption launched lava 165 feet into the air.
USGS officials described a “lava lake” that had formed after the eruption, with fountains of molten liquid spewing into the newly created lake. The US Geological Survey reported that the volcano is primarily emitting steam at this time.
USGS scientists explain why the eruption caught them by surprise
USGS scientists explained why they were caught off guard by the sudden Kilauea eruption last night.
The agency said that the volcano’s eruption in 2018 drastically changed the volcano and that they are still learning the implications of that change.
They also noted that the agency was about to issue an alert on Monday.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 21:18
Crowds warned to stay away from the Kilauea eruption due to dangerous gases.
A spokeswoman for the Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks urged curious onlookers to avoid visiting the site of the Kilauea eruption due to dangerous gases rising from the crater.
“It’s quite spectacular this morning,” he said. The Herald of Bradenton, “but there are large amounts of gas and dangerous sulfur dioxide particles that are coming out of the crater right now and pose a danger to everyone, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, babies, young children and pregnant women.”
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 20:58
Eruption now mostly steam, ash has settled
The US Geological Survey’s Hawaii Volcano Observatory said the eruption at Kilauea has settled and is mostly steam at the moment. He said there is no ash in the air.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 20:49
Video shows volcano spewing lava 165 feet into the air
A video captured lava and ash spewing into the air as Kilauea erupted this morning.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 20:10
Scientists arrive to monitor the eruption
The US Geological Survey’s Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported that scientists have been monitoring the Kilauea eruption since its summit.
In an image shared on social media, a scientist examines the three fissures that have opened and are feeding a lava lake in the volcano.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 18:15
At 6:15 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, the County Civil Defense organization and the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory determined that the eruption within Kilauea Crater Lake has stabilized.
Hawaii News Now reports that the threat of ashfall is decreasing, although two or three fissures remain active.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 17:58
Scientists surprised by a sudden eruption
Hawaii News Now reported that the acting scientist at the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory was surprised by the sudden eruption of the volcano.
David Phillips, who oversees the observatory, said his team planned to issue a change to the volcano’s alert status today based on its recent activity and that he was caught off guard when it just erupted.
“We knew there was some activity going on, higher than background levels, and that there was the possibility of an eruption, and then we ended up going straight from advisory to eruption,” Phillips said.
Scientists do not believe that this eruption directly threatens homes or communities, although they are closely monitoring developments.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 17:31
Kilauea lights up the sky
The Kilauea eruption was captured by passing satellites.
The Sunomi NPP weather satellite, which is operated by NASA, the Department of Defense and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, captured the glow of lava when it first exited the volcano.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 17:09
The Twitter account of the US Geological Survey’s Hawaii Volcano Observatory shared a video showing the lava flow from the western edge of Kilauea.
Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 16:55
Kilauea erupts on the state’s Big Island
The Kilauea eruption occurs in conjunction with a series of earthquakes in the area, one of which measures 4.0 on the Richter scale. James Crump has the full story.
Harriet Sinclair21 December 2020 16:09
