Kīlauea on Big Island is erupting; started early Wednesday and contained to crater

Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano is erupting, producing a burst of volcanic emissions starting at 4:44 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

This eruption was observed on infra-red satellite imagery. Radar indicates winds will cause any ash emissions to drift towards the west-southwest direction this morning.

Kīlauea’s alert level was raised from watch to warning and its aviation color code from organge to red as this eruption and associated hazards are evaluated.  

To watch the eruption live, click here.

The opening phases of eruptions are dynamic. Webcam imagery shows fissures at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu crater generating lava flows on the surface of the crater floor.

The activity is confined to Halemaʻumaʻu, entirely within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

The hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses. Communities in the Puna, Kaʻū and South Kona Districts may be affected.

High levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects down-wind. Large amounts of volcanic gas — primarily water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) — are continuously released during eruptions of Kīlauea volcano.

As sulfur dioxide is released from the summit, it will react in the atmosphere to create the visible haze known as vog (volcanic smog) that has been observed downwind of Kīlauea. Vog creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants, and affects livestock

Additional hazards include Pele’s hair and other lightweight volcanic glass fragments from the lava fountains that will fall downwind of the fissure vents and dust the ground within a few hundred meters (yards) of the vent (s). Strong winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances. Residents should minimize exposure to these volcanic particles, which can cause skin and eye irritation. 

Other significant hazards also remain around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of Kīlauea caldera rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since late 2007. 

For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, click here.

Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm. Visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park should note that under southerly (non-trade) wind conditions, there is potential for a dusting of powdery to gritty ash composed of volcanic glass and rock fragments. These ashfalls represent a minor hazard, but visitors should be aware that such dustings at areas around the Kīlauea summit are possible. 

Avoid excessive exposure to ash which is an eye and respiratory irritant. Those with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure.

For more information on the status of Kilauea Volcano, click here.

For health and safety recommendations, visit the Hawaii
Interagency Vog Information Dashboard.