Latest news with #Kilauea
The Independent
an hour ago
- Science
- The Independent
One of the world's most active volcanoes Kilauea is set to erupt again
Molten rock is currently erupting from two vents simultaneously at Kilauea volcano, with lava shooting high into the sky and illuminating the night with a vivid red and orange glow across its summit crater. Scientists anticipate the volcano, renowned as one of the world's most active, will gush lava again in the coming days, marking its 31st eruption since December. While a select few residents and visitors will witness the spectacle firsthand at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, hundreds of thousands more are expected to tune into popular livestreams. These online feeds are made possible by three camera angles set up by the US Geological Survey, offering a virtual front-row seat to the natural phenomenon. Among those captivated by Kilauea's power is Park Service volunteer Janice Wei, who rushes to capture photos and videos of Halemaumau Crater whenever an eruption begins. Native Hawaiian tradition holds that this crater is the sacred home of the volcano goddess Pele. Wei describes the sound of the molten rock, as it shoots skyward like a fountain, as akin to a roaring jet engine or crashing ocean waves, noting she can feel its intense heat from over a mile away. "Every eruption feels like I am sitting in the front row at nature's most extraordinary show," Wei shared in an email. Kilauea is situated on Hawaii Island, the largest landmass in the Hawaiian archipelago. It lies approximately 320 kilometres (200 miles) south of Honolulu, the state's largest city, which is located on Oahu. Here's what to know about Kilauea's latest eruption: Towering fountains of molten rock A lower magma chamber under Halemaumau Crater is receiving magma directly from the earth's interior about 5 cubic yards (3.8 cubic meters) per second, said Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. This blows the chamber up like a balloon and forces magma into an upper chamber. From there, it gets pushed above ground through cracks. Magma has been using the same pathway to rise to the surface since December, making the initial release and subsequent episodes all part of the same eruption, Hon said. Many have featured lava soaring into the air, in some cases more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) The fountains are generated in part because magma — which holds gasses that are released as it rises — has been traveling to the surface through narrow, pipe-like vents. The expanding magma supply is capped by heavier magma that had expelled its gas at the end of the prior episode. Eventually, enough new magma accumulates to force the degassed magma off, and the magma shoots out like champagne bottle that was shaken before the cork was popped. This is the fourth time in 200 years that Kilauea has shot lava fountains into the air in repeated episodes. There were more episodes the last time Kilauea followed this pattern: the eruption that began in 1983 started with 44 sessions of shooting fountains. Those were spread out over three years, however. And the fountains emerged in a remote area so few got to watch. The other two occurred in 1959 and 1969. Predicting Kilauea's future Scientists don't know how the current eruption will end or how it may change. In 1983, magma built enough pressure that Kilauea opened a vent at a lower elevation and started continuously leaking lava from there rather than periodically shooting out of a higher elevation. The eruption continued in various forms for three decades and only ended in 2018. Something similar could happen again. Or the current eruption could instead stop at the summit if its magma supply peters out. Scientists can estimate a few days or even a week ahead of time when lava is likely to emerge with the help of sensors around the volcano that detect earthquakes and miniscule changes in the angle of the ground, which indicate when magma is inflating or deflating. 'Our job is like being a bunch of ants crawling on an elephant trying to figure out how the elephant works,' Hon said. The lava fountains have been shorter lately. Steve Lundblad, a University of Hawaii at Hilo geology professor, said the vent may have gotten wider, leaving molten rock less pressurised. 'We're still gonna have spectacular eruptions," he said. "They're just going to be be wider and not as high.' Carrying stories of Pele Some people may see lava flows as destructive. But Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, the executive director of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, said lava is a natural resource that hardens into land and forms the foundation for everything on Hawaii Island. Kanahele-Mossman's nonprofit is named after her grandmother — the esteemed practitioner of Hawaiian language and culture, and founder of a noted hula halau, or school. Hālau o Kekuhi is celebrated for its mastery of a style of hula rooted in the stories of Pele and her sister, Hiʻiaka. Kanahele-Mossman has visited the crater a few times since the eruption began. She initially watches in awe and reverence. But then she observes more details so she can go home and compare it to the lava in the centuries-old tales that her school performs. At the crater, she delivers a chant prepared in advance and places offerings. Recently she presented awa, a drink made with kava, and a fern lei. 'You as the dancer, you are the storyteller and you carry that history that was written in those mele forward,' she said, using the Hawaiian word for song. 'To be able to actually see that eruption that's described in the mele, that's always exciting to us and drives us and motivates us to stay in this tradition.' Visiting the volcano Park visitation has risen all eight months of the year so far, in part because of the eruption. In April, there were 49 per cent more visitors than the same month of 2024. Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane noted that the last several episodes have only lasted about 10 to 12 hours. Those wanting to go should sign up for U.S. Geological Survey alert notifications because the eruption could be over before you know it, she said. She cautioned that visitors should stay on marked trails and overlooks because unstable cliff edges and earth cracks may not be immediately apparent and falling could lead to serious injury or death. People should also keep young children close. Volcanic gas, glass and ash can also be dangerous. Those visiting at night should bring a flashlight.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Science
- The Independent
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is on the verge of erupting again
Lava shoots high into the sky. Molten rock erupts from two vents simultaneously. The nighttime sky glows red and orange, reflecting the lava oozing across a summit crater. Scientists expect Kilauea volcano to again gush lava in the coming days for the 31st time since December as the mountain lives up to its identity of one of the world's most active volcanoes. A few lucky residents and visitors will have a front row view at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If the past is a guide, hundreds of thousands more will be watching popular livestreams made possible by three camera angles set up by the U.S. Geological Survey. Whenever she gets word the lava is back, Park Service volunteer Janice Wei hustles to shoot photos and videos of Halemaumau Crater — which Native Hawaiian tradition says is the home to the volcano goddess Pele. She said when the molten rock shoots high like a fountain it sounds like a roaring jet engine or crashing ocean waves. She can feel its heat from over a mile away. 'Every eruption feels like I am sitting in the front row at nature's most extraordinary show,' Wei said in an email. Kilauea is on Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago. It's about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of the state's largest city, Honolulu, which is on Oahu. Here's what to know about Kilauea's latest eruption: Towering fountains of molten rock A lower magma chamber under Halemaumau Crater is receiving magma directly from the earth's interior about 5 cubic yards (3.8 cubic meters) per second, said Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. This blows the chamber up like a balloon and forces magma into an upper chamber. From there, it gets pushed above ground through cracks. Magma has been using the same pathway to rise to the surface since December, making the initial release and subsequent episodes all part of the same eruption, Hon said. Many have featured lava soaring into the air, in some cases more than 1,000 feet (300 meters.) The fountains are generated in part because magma — which holds gasses that are released as it rises — has been traveling to the surface through narrow, pipe-like vents. The expanding magma supply is capped by heavier magma that had expelled its gas at the end of the prior episode. Eventually enough new magma accumulates to force the degassed magma off, and the magma shoots out like champagne bottle that was shaken before the cork was popped. This is the fourth time in 200 years that Kilauea has shot lava fountains into the air in repeated episodes. There were more episodes the last time Kilauea followed this pattern: the eruption that began in 1983 started with 44 sessions of shooting fountains. Those were spread out over three years, however. And the fountains emerged in a remote area so few got to watch. The other two occurred in 1959 and 1969. Predicting Kilauea's future Scientists don't know how the current eruption will end or how it may change. In 1983, magma built enough pressure that Kilauea opened a vent at a lower elevation and started continuously leaking lava from there rather than periodically shooting out of a higher elevation. The eruption continued in various forms for three decades and only ended in 2018. Something similar could happen again. Or the current eruption could instead stop at the summit if its magma supply peters out. Scientists can estimate a few days or even a week ahead of time when lava is likely to emerge with the help of sensors around the volcano that detect earthquakes and miniscule changes in the angle of the ground, which indicate when magma is inflating or deflating. 'Our job is like being a bunch of ants crawling on an elephant trying to figure out how the elephant works,' Hon said. The lava fountains have been shorter lately. Steve Lundblad, a University of Hawaii at Hilo geology professor, said the vent may have gotten wider, leaving molten rock less pressurized. 'We're still gonna have spectacular eruptions," he said. "They're just going to be be wider and not as high.' Carrying stories of Pele Some people may see lava flows as destructive. But Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, the executive director of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, said lava is a natural resource that hardens into land and forms the foundation for everything on Hawaii Island. Kanahele-Mossman's nonprofit is named after her grandmother — the esteemed practitioner of Hawaiian language and culture, and founder of a noted hula halau, or school. Hālau o Kekuhi is celebrated for its mastery of a style of hula rooted in the stories of Pele and her sister, Hiʻiaka. Kanahele-Mossman has visited the crater a few times since the eruption began. She initially watches in awe and reverence. But then she observes more details so she can go home and compare it to the lava in the centuries-old tales that her school performs. At the crater, she delivers a chant prepared in advance and places offerings. Recently she presented awa, a drink made with kava, and a fern lei. 'You as the dancer, you are the storyteller and you carry that history that was written in those mele forward,' she said, using the Hawaiian word for song. 'To be able to actually see that eruption that's described in the mele, that's always exciting to us and drives us and motivates us to stay in this tradition.' Visiting the volcano Park visitation has risen all eight months of the year so far, in part because of the eruption. In April, there were 49% more visitors than the same month of 2024. Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane noted that the last several episodes have only lasted about 10 to 12 hours. Those wanting to go should sign up for U.S. Geological Survey alert notifications because the eruption could be over before you know it, she said. She cautioned that visitors should stay on marked trails and overlooks because unstable cliff edges and earth cracks may not be immediately apparent and falling could lead to serious injury or death. People should also keep young children close. Volcanic gas, glass and ash can also be dangerous. Those visiting at night should bring a flashlight.
Associated Press
5 hours ago
- Science
- Associated Press
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is on the verge of erupting again
HONOLULU (AP) — Lava shoots high into the sky. Molten rock erupts from two vents simultaneously. The nighttime sky glows red and orange, reflecting the lava oozing across a summit crater. Scientists expect Kilauea volcano to again gush lava in the coming days for the 31st time since December as the mountain lives up to its identity of one of the world's most active volcanoes. A few lucky residents and visitors will have a front row view at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If the past is a guide, hundreds of thousands more will be watching popular livestreams made possible by three camera angles set up by the U.S. Geological Survey. Whenever she gets word the lava is back, Park Service volunteer Janice Wei hustles to shoot photos and videos of Halemaumau Crater — which Native Hawaiian tradition says is the home to the volcano goddess Pele. She said when the molten rock shoots high like a fountain it sounds like a roaring jet engine or crashing ocean waves. She can feel its heat from over a mile away. 'Every eruption feels like I am sitting in the front row at nature's most extraordinary show,' Wei said in an email. Kilauea is on Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago. It's about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of the state's largest city, Honolulu, which is on Oahu. Here's what to know about Kilauea's latest eruption: Towering fountains of molten rock A lower magma chamber under Halemaumau Crater is receiving magma directly from the earth's interior about 5 cubic yards (3.8 cubic meters) per second, said Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. This blows the chamber up like a balloon and forces magma into an upper chamber. From there, it gets pushed above ground through cracks. Magma has been using the same pathway to rise to the surface since December, making the initial release and subsequent episodes all part of the same eruption, Hon said. Many have featured lava soaring into the air, in some cases more than 1,000 feet (300 meters.) The fountains are generated in part because magma — which holds gasses that are released as it rises — has been traveling to the surface through narrow, pipe-like vents. The expanding magma supply is capped by heavier magma that had expelled its gas at the end of the prior episode. Eventually enough new magma accumulates to force the degassed magma off, and the magma shoots out like champagne bottle that was shaken before the cork was popped. This is the fourth time in 200 years that Kilauea has shot lava fountains into the air in repeated episodes. There were more episodes the last time Kilauea followed this pattern: the eruption that began in 1983 started with 44 sessions of shooting fountains. Those were spread out over three years, however. And the fountains emerged in a remote area so few got to watch. The other two occurred in 1959 and 1969. Predicting Kilauea's future Scientists don't know how the current eruption will end or how it may change. In 1983, magma built enough pressure that Kilauea opened a vent at a lower elevation and started continuously leaking lava from there rather than periodically shooting out of a higher elevation. The eruption continued in various forms for three decades and only ended in 2018. Something similar could happen again. Or the current eruption could instead stop at the summit if its magma supply peters out. Scientists can estimate a few days or even a week ahead of time when lava is likely to emerge with the help of sensors around the volcano that detect earthquakes and miniscule changes in the angle of the ground, which indicate when magma is inflating or deflating. 'Our job is like being a bunch of ants crawling on an elephant trying to figure out how the elephant works,' Hon said. The lava fountains have been shorter lately. Steve Lundblad, a University of Hawaii at Hilo geology professor, said the vent may have gotten wider, leaving molten rock less pressurized. 'We're still gonna have spectacular eruptions,' he said. 'They're just going to be be wider and not as high.' Carrying stories of Pele Some people may see lava flows as destructive. But Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, the executive director of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, said lava is a natural resource that hardens into land and forms the foundation for everything on Hawaii Island. Kanahele-Mossman's nonprofit is named after her grandmother — the esteemed practitioner of Hawaiian language and culture, and founder of a noted hula halau, or school. Hālau o Kekuhi is celebrated for its mastery of a style of hula rooted in the stories of Pele and her sister, Hiʻiaka. Kanahele-Mossman has visited the crater a few times since the eruption began. She initially watches in awe and reverence. But then she observes more details so she can go home and compare it to the lava in the centuries-old tales that her school performs. At the crater, she delivers a chant prepared in advance and places offerings. Recently she presented awa, a drink made with kava, and a fern lei. 'You as the dancer, you are the storyteller and you carry that history that was written in those mele forward,' she said, using the Hawaiian word for song. 'To be able to actually see that eruption that's described in the mele, that's always exciting to us and drives us and motivates us to stay in this tradition.' Visiting the volcano Park visitation has risen all eight months of the year so far, in part because of the eruption. In April, there were 49% more visitors than the same month of 2024. Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane noted that the last several episodes have only lasted about 10 to 12 hours. Those wanting to go should sign up for U.S. Geological Survey alert notifications because the eruption could be over before you know it, she said. She cautioned that visitors should stay on marked trails and overlooks because unstable cliff edges and earth cracks may not be immediately apparent and falling could lead to serious injury or death. People should also keep young children close. Volcanic gas, glass and ash can also be dangerous. Those visiting at night should bring a flashlight.
National Geographic
10-07-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Volcanoes—everything to know about nature's geologic architects
Fiery volcanoes have belched up molten rock, hot ash, and gas since Earth formed billions of years ago. Guatemala's Pacaya is one of the most active volanoes in the world. Photograph by Babak Tafreshi, Nat Geo Image Collection Volcanoes are Earth's geologic architects. They've created more than 80 percent of our planet's surface, laying the foundation that has allowed life to thrive. Their explosive force crafts mountains as well as craters. Lava rivers spread into bleak landscapes. But as time ticks by, the elements break down these volcanic rocks, liberating nutrients from their stony prisons and creating remarkably fertile soils that have allowed civilizations to flourish. There are volcanoes on every continent, even Antarctica. Some 1,500 volcanoes are still considered potentially active around the world today. Of those, 161—over 10 percent—sit within the boundaries of the United States. But each volcano is different. Some burst to life in violent eruptions, like the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, and others burp rivers of lava in what's known as an effusive eruption, like the 2018 activity of Kilauea, in the Hawaiian islands. These differences are all thanks to the chemistry driving the molten activity. Effusive eruptions are more common when the magma is less viscous, or runny, which allows gas to escape and the magma to flow down the volcano's slopes. Explosive eruptions, however, happen when viscous molten rock traps the gasses, building pressure until it violently breaks free. How are volcanoes formed? The majority of volcanoes in the world form along the boundaries of Earth's tectonic plates—massive expanses of our planet's lithosphere that continually shift, bumping into one another. When tectonic plates collide, one often plunges deep below the other in what's known as a subduction zone. As the descending landmass sinks deep into the Earth, temperatures and pressures climb, releasing water from the rocks. The water slightly reduces the melting point of the overlying rock, forming magma that can work its way to the surface—the spark of life to reawaken a slumbering volcano. Not all volcanoes are related to subduction, however. Another way volcanoes can form is what's known as hotspot volcanism. In this situation, a zone of magmatic activity—or a hotspot—in the middle of a tectonic plate can push up through the crust to form a volcano. Although the hotspot itself is thought to be largely stationary, the tectonic plates continue their slow march, building a line of volcanoes or islands on the surface. This mechanism is thought to be behind the Hawaii volcanic chain. Types of volcanoes Volcanoes come in many shapes and sizes. Some, like fissure volcanoes don't form edifices, but instead erupt along volcanic fields feeding lava flows, sometimes across great distances. Craters of the Moon National Monument is one example of a fissure volcano. With their tall peaks and straight, even sides, composite or stratovolcanoes are often visually striking. They form from repeated layers of lava flows, cinders, volcanic ash, and volcanic bombs. Japan's Mount Fuji is one of the most famous composite volcanoes, but Chile's Nevado Ojos del Salado is the tallest at over 22,000 feet above sea level. Cinder cone volcanoes form when solid pieces of lava, called cinders, erupt from a vent and collect around it. The volcanoes in the Canary Islands are cinder cones. Shield volcanoes, like Hawaii's Mauna Kea, form when lava bubbles up and flows out around a vent, eventually forming a gentle dome. With its massive size and volume, nearby Pūhāhonu is the world's biggest shield volcano above sea level, but Mauna Loa is the biggest active shield volcano. Where are all these volcanoes? Some 75 percent of the world's active volcanoes are positioned around the 'ring of fire,' a 25,000-mile long, horseshoe-shaped volcanic arc that stretches from the southern tip of South America across the West Coast of North America, through the Bering Sea to Japan, and on to New Zealand. This region is where the edges of the Pacific and Nazca plates butt up against an array of other tectonic plates. Importantly, however, the volcanoes of the ring are not geologically connected. In other words, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia is not related to one in Alaska, and it could not stir the infamous Yellowstone supervolcano. (What it's like to live in the shadow of an active volcano) Volcanic eruptions pose many dangers aside from lava flows. It's important to heed local authorities' advice during active eruptions and evacuate regions when necessary. One particular danger is pyroclastic flows, avalanches of hot rocks, ash, and toxic gas that race down slopes at speeds as high as 450 miles an hour. Such an event was responsible for wiping out the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum after Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. Similarly, volcanic mudflows called lahars can be very destructive. These fast-flowing waves of mud and debris can race down a volcano's flanks, burying entire towns. Ash is another volcanic danger. Unlike the soft, fluffy bits of charred wood left after a campfire, volcanic ash is made of sharp fragments of rocks and volcanic glass each less than two millimeters across. The ash forms as the gasses within rising magma expand, shattering the cooling rocks as they burst from the volcano's mouth. It's not only dangerous to inhale, it's heavy and builds up quickly. Volcanic ash can collapse weak structures, cause power outages, and is a challenge to shovel away post-eruption. (Volcano tourism is booming, but is it too risky?) Can we predict volcanic eruptions? Volcanoes give some warning of pending eruption, making it vital for scientists to closely monitor any volcanoes near large population centers. The U.S. Geological Survey operates five monitoring stations, including the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Signs that a volcano could erupt include small earthquakes, swelling or bulging of the volcano's sides, and increased emission of gasses from its vents. None of those signs necessarily mean an eruption is imminent, but they can help scientists evaluate the state of the volcano when magma is building. However, it's impossible to say exactly when, or even if, any given volcano will erupt. Volcanoes don't run on a timetable like a train. This means it's impossible for one to be 'overdue' for eruption—no matter what news headlines say. (This Alaska volcano could erupt soon. Here's the chaos it could cause.) What is the largest eruption in history? The deadliest eruption in recorded history was the 1815 explosion of Mount Tabora in Indonesia. The blast was one of the most powerful ever documented and created a caldera—essentially a crater—four miles across and more than 3,600 feet deep. A superheated plume of hot ash and gas shot 28 miles into the sky, producing numerous pyroclastic flows when it collapsed. The eruption and its immediate dangers killed around 10,000 people. But that wasn't its only impact. The volcanic ash and gas injected into the atmosphere obscured the sun and increased the reflectivity of Earth, cooling its surface and causing what's known as the year without a summer. (This could be the most dangerous volcano in the U.S.) Starvation and disease during this time killed some 82,000 more people, and the gloomy conditions are often credited as the inspiration for gothic horror tales, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
See it: Hawaii's Mount Kilauea shoots lava skyward amid latest eruption
HAWAII VOLCANO NATIONAL PARKS, Hawaii – Mount Kilauea erupted to life Wednesday as one of the world's most active volcanoes makes headlines once again. Since Dec. 23, the volcano has been intermittently erupting within the summit caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The 28th eruption of the volcano began at 4:10 a.m. HST and is exhibiting a vent overflow, with fountains reaching heights of 150 feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Past episodes have seen lava fountains reach as high as 1,000 feet, as it did two eruption cycles ago. So far, we have yet to see fountains of this magnitude, but officials warn it could happen soon. Hundreds Of Earthquakes Detected At Washington's Mt. Rainier This episode occurs within a closed-off area of the National Park. Hazards associated with the eruptive episodes include the release of toxic volcanic gas, including sulfur dioxide, which could have far-reaching impacts downwind. Pele's hair has also been a concern amid the eruption of the volcano. Pele's hair is strands of volcanic glass, often produced by lava fountain activity, and can be carried over 10 miles, according to the USGS. What Is 'Pele's Hair'? The USGS has initiated an orange alert level, which means the volcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of an article source: See it: Hawaii's Mount Kilauea shoots lava skyward amid latest eruption
