New eruption, increased hazard alerts at Kīlauea volcano, Hawai’i
A new eruption at Kilauea volcano led the USGS to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red and the Volcano Alert Level to Warning on Monday, December 23, 2024. The eruption is occurring within a closed area of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Lava activity observed at Halema'uma'u and the down-dropped block, viewed from the west rim of Kīlauea's summit, December 23, 2024. Image credit: USGS
Increased seismic activity beneath the summit began around 02:00 LT (12:00 UTC) on December 23, followed by eruptive activity observed via summit webcams by 02:30 LT (12:30 UTC) as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Lava fountains erupted from a line of fissures, producing flows confined to the base of Halema’uma’u.
The eruption has resulted in the release of high levels of volcanic gases, including water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). SO2 emissions contribute to vog (volcanic smog), which could spread downwind, affecting air quality across the region.
Lava flows from the eruption are advancing slowly within the summit area. Risks include volcanic glass fragments, such as Pele’s hair, which can travel short distances from the fissures. These lightweight particles, carried by strong winds, pose hazards to skin and eyes.
Residents and visitors near affected areas are advised to minimize exposure.
Other risks include ground instability in the area, where earthquakes, rockfalls, and ground cracking are possible. The region around Halema’uma’u has been closed to the public since 2007.
Before this eruption, Kīlauea had periods of activity throughout 2024, from September 15 to October 17. Fissures in the middle East Rift Zone produced lava flows covering approximately 0.63 km2 (0.24 mi2). During this phase, SO2 emissions peaked at 10 000 tonnes per day, and lava effusion rates ranged between 5 and 15 m3 (176 to 530 ft3) per second.
Eruptive activity paused on October 17, and by September 23, alert levels were downgraded as seismicity and magma movement subsided.
Kīlauea’s eruptions are part of its long history of frequent volcanic activity, with over 74 confirmed eruptive periods during the Holocene. Main events include the prolonged East Rift Zone eruption from 1983 to 2018, which generated lava flows covering over 100 km2 (38 mi2), destroyed numerous homes, and expanded Hawai’i’s coastline.
Kīlauea, a basaltic shield volcano overlapping the eastern flank of Mauna Loa, has a 3 x 5 km (1.9 x 3.1 miles) caldera formed around 1 500 years ago. Its surface consists of lava flows younger than 600 years. The volcano is situated in an intraplate oceanic crust setting less than 15 km (9.3 miles) thick.
References:
1 Kilauea volcano – USGS/HVO – December 23, 2024
2 Kīlauea – GVP – Accessed on December 23, 2024
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
Now, look how may volcanoes have erupted today. I have been saying for many years, that the sign for the flare up of the war in the in Middel East that will spread very fast to the whole world is the eruption of many volcanoes at the same time, including the eruption of the yellowstone super-volcano.