Kilauea volcano resumes activity; spews lava for the 31st time since December in Hawaii

The Kilauea volcano, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, resumed erupting on Friday, marking the fourth time in 200 years that the volcano has shot lava fountains into the air in repeated episodes. This eruption, like the one in 1983, has been captivating both scientists and visitors, with lava overflowing the north vent a few hours later.

Magma is being received by a lower magma chamber under Halemaumau Crater at a rate of about 5 cubic yards per second. The magma rising to the surface has been using the same pathway since December. The eruption occurred at the summit crater of Kilauea, and the north vent at the summit crater began continuously spattering in the morning.

Scientists are using sensors around the volcano to estimate the time when lava is likely to emerge. While the current eruption is reminiscent of the 1983 eruption, its end is uncertain, much like how the 1983 eruption continued for three decades and ended in 2018.

Visitors to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have been flocking to the area, with park visitation rising all eight months of the year due to the eruption. A few residents and visitors may even have a front-row view of the spectacle. Hundreds of thousands more may watch popular livestreams of the eruption.

Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, the executive director of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, views lava flows as a natural resource. Kanahele-Mossman, who visits the crater to observe details and compare them to lava in centuries-old tales, delivers a chant and places offerings during her visits. The Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation is named after Kanahele-Mossman's grandmother, a renowned practitioner of Hawaiian language and culture.

It is important to note that visitors should stay on marked trails and overlooks, avoid unstable cliff edges and cracks, and be cautious of volcanic gas, glass, and ash. The eruption was contained within the summit crater and did not threaten any homes.

As the lava fountains continue to light up the night sky, the Kilauea volcano continues to captivate both scientists and visitors alike, offering a unique glimpse into the power and beauty of this active volcano.

Kilauea volcano resumes activity; spews lava for the 31st time since December in Hawaii