On Tuesday, the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupted once again, sending spectacular lava fountains soaring between 120 to 150 metres into the air. This latest activity marks the volcano’s thirteenth eruption since the cycle began on December 23, as reported by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Despite the initial intensity of the eruption that produced bright-red molten rock and plumes of smoke on Tuesday morning, the activity was short-lived. By the afternoon, observations indicated that the fountaining had ceased abruptly. Before this, minor spatter fountains had been recorded on Monday, reaching heights of between five to ten metres, but these increased significantly overnight and into the early hours of Tuesday.
A webcam captured the dramatic scenes of the volcanic activity, which delighted many visitors at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, although there has been no threat to residential areas. Past episodes of the Kilauea eruption have varied, with fountain heights occasionally reaching as much as 180 metres and durations ranging from a few hours to several days. Intervals between the eruption phases have also fluctuated, spanning from less than a day to as long as 12 days.
As residents and tourists alike flock to witness this natural spectacle, the enduring magnificence of Kilauea continues to capture the public’s fascination.