Eruption at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Captured in Mesmerizing Footage
A lava flow captured after a Kīlauea eruption at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park this weekend has led to a dramatic lava show as the molten orange glow has shot fountains over 1,000 feet into the air, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, which posted dramatic photos of the event. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the dramatic eruption produced mountainous lava flows that covered approximately half of the Halema'uma'u crater floor. According to their measurements, the volcanic plume from the eruption reached heights of more than 14,000 feet into the sky, which is almost the height of the Eiffel Tower. Since an eruption on 23 December, activity around the volcano has been stop-start, lasting as little as 13 hours to as long as eight days.There is a livestream of the awe-inspiring show available here. Tourists on the Big Island can see the orange-hued glow for miles.
Despite the dramatic fountaining show, there is no danger to the public. All activity remains within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and no unusual activity has been observed along other parts of the volcano, officials said. But, officials say there is a phenomenon known as "Pele's Hair" that is a hazard, which is described as "windblown volcanic glass," along with tephra, which are gases, that "have impacted Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities," scientists warn.
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