Watch: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts again; crowds gather to witness molten lava

Kilauea volcano (AP image)

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted again on Tuesday. This marks its 32nd eruption since December. Scientists say all these eruptions are part of the same ongoing activity, as magma continues to follow the same path to the surface.The volcano has been erupting lava from its summit crater about once a week since late last year, delighting residents, tourists and online viewers. The lava has remained contained within the summit crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, posing no threat to homes or buildings. Visitors can witness the eruption in person, while others can watch through US Geological Survey livestreams offering multiple camera angles. Kilauea volcano is located on Hawaii Island about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Honolulu. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.Spectacular lava fountains:According to Ken Hon, scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, magma rises from a lower chamber beneath Halemaumau Crater at around 3.8 cubic meters per second. This inflow forces magma into an upper chamber and eventually erupts through narrow vents, creating towering fountains of molten rock. Some lava fountains have reached heights of over 300 meters (1,000 feet).This is the fourth time in 200 years that Kilauea has produced repeated lava fountain episodes. Similar patterns occurred during eruptions in 1959, 1969, and the major eruption from 1983 to 2018, as reported by CNN. Scientists monitor lava as eruption changes: Scientists cannot predict how the current eruption will end. The eruption could continue at the summit or open a vent at a lower elevation, as happened during the 1983 eruption. Sensors around the volcano help predict eruptions days or a week in advance by detecting earthquakes and subtle changes in ground angle, which signal magma movement.Recently, lava fountains have been shorter, likely due to a widening vent that reduces pressure. Geologists expect eruptions to remain visually impressive, though not as tall as before.Visitor guidance:Visitor numbers at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have risen since the eruption began, with April seeing a 49% increase compared to the same month in 2024.Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane said the recent eruptive episodes have lasted only 10 to 12 hours. She advised those planning to visit to sign up for U.S. Geological Survey alerts, as the eruption could end quickly.Ferracane also warned visitors to remain on marked trails and overlooks, as unstable cliff edges and hidden cracks in the ground could pose serious hazards. She emphasized that young children should be kept close to adults at all times.