Watch: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts sending lava gushing to surface

The officials added that the lava and the volcanic activity in Kilauea was confined to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

But they added that the threat of volcanic smog hangs around as it contains sulphur dioxide which worsens the symptoms in people suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular disease.

Short video of the current Kīlauea eruption from the west caldera wall. pic.twitter.com/A3kBpJTeUl

— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) December 23, 2024

The US Geological Survey started a live-stream of the eruption which showed red hot lava bursting upwards at a height of up to 80 meters (262 feet).

“Molten material, including lava bombs, is being ejected from the vents on the caldera floor up onto the west caldera rim. The plume of volcanic gas and fine volcanic particles is reaching elevations of 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level… and winds are transporting it to the southwest,” the USGS said as reported by news agency AFP.

The area of Kilauea where the eruption took place has been shut for the public since 2007 due to hazardous conditions. The Kilauea volcano also erupted in June and September this year.

Interestingly, the eruptions in Kilauea could continue for days or even months. In 2018, the Kilauea volcano erupted from May to August and destroyed close to 700 homes, The Guardian reported.