Hawaiian volcano Kilauea resumes lava eruption, a phenomenon not observed in over 40 years

The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii island has resumed erupting, shooting lava 100 feet into the air. This is the 31st display of molten rock since December, and a pattern not seen for four decades.

Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, the executive director of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, compares the current lava to centuries-old tales in Hawaiian culture. The eruption duration typically lasts about 10 to 12 hours.

Scientists have been monitoring the eruption closely, using sensors around the volcano to estimate the time of lava emergence. They have also observed that the 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.

The eruption occurred in the summit crater of Kilauea, and no homes were threatened. However, unstable cliff edges and cracks in the earth may not be immediately apparent, posing a risk of injury or death. Visitors are advised to stay on marked trails and overlooks, and nighttime visitors should bring a flashlight.

Volcanic gas, glass, and ash can be dangerous, especially during nighttime visits. For safety reasons, visitors are encouraged to sign up for U.S. Geological Survey alert notifications.

Park visitation has increased all eight months of the year due to the eruption. In April, there were 49% more visitors than the same month of 2024. Many of the eruptions have featured lava soaring into the air, in some cases more than 1,000 feet.

Kilauea is located on Hawaii island, the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago, and is about 200 miles south of the state's largest city, Honolulu. This eruption marks the fourth time in 200 years that Kilauea has shot lava fountains into the air in repeated episodes.

Scientists do not know how the current eruption will end or how it may change. A lower magma chamber under Halemaumau Crater is receiving magma directly from Earth's interior at about 5 cubic yards per second, but the scientists who made this observation are not specified.

Despite the uncertainties, the eruption of Kilauea continues to captivate visitors and locals alike, offering a unique glimpse into the raw power and beauty of nature.