Lava bubbles through the crust of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea, on the Big Island of Hawaii
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — Lava began bubbling through the crust of one of the world’s most active volcanoes on Monday – Kilaueaon the Big Island of Hawaii.
The eruption was contained to the caldera at the volcano’s summit, in a remote, closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported. The increased earthquake activity began around 2 a.m. local time, and within about half an hour, webcam images began showing lava emerging through fissures in the caldera or spewing into fountains.
The most immediate threat came from volcanic smog that could reach homes downwind, the observatory said. Such ‘vog’ contains sulfur dioxide and can worsen symptoms in people with conditions such as asthma, other respiratory problems or cardiovascular disease.
The area where the eruption takes place has been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards such as instability of the crater wall, cracks in the ground and falling rocks.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses the peaks of two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea also erupted in June and September.