Hawaii‘s Kilauea volcano began erupting early Monday morning, with a webcam capturing lava gushing to the surface.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a ‘code red’ at 7:41am ET after detecting elevated earthquake activity beneath the summit.
Footage of the ‘dynamic eruption’ showed a line of fissures erupting lava fountains feeding lava flows at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu within Kaluapele (the summit caldera).
‘The activity is confined to the summit caldera and the hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses,’ the USGS said in an announcement.
However, high levels of volcanic gas, primarily water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are a top hazard of concern.
Scientists had warned of an imminent eruption after Kilauea saw a boost in seismic activity last week, with about 100 small earthquakes detected at it the volcano’s base.
There was continued swelling on the ground around the summit, and seismic activity suggested it was due to magma flowing through the underground chambers.
Located in a closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
‘Elevated earthquake activity beneath the summit began at approximately 2 a.m. HST (7am ET) this morning, December 23,’ the USGS alert reads.
‘By 2:30 a.m., the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory observed eruptive activity in Kīlauea summit webcam images, indicating that an eruption has commenced within Halemaʻumaʻu and the summit caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.’
The Kilauea volcano formed underwater around 280,000 years ago, and it is the youngest and most active volcano in Hawaii.
Hawaiian legend says that this volcano is home to the deity Pelehonuamea, which is a name for the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire.
Kilauea volcano has erupted more than 60 times since its creation in the 1800s, and the effects of its eruptions are the same.
The eruptions release high levels of volcanic gas, which is primarily made up of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide being released into the atmosphere.
Kilauea resides on Hawaii’s Big Island which is home to about 200,000 people.
The eruption on Monday could create volcanic smog (vog), which is a haze made up of gas and an aerosol of particles and droplets created when gasses emitted from a volcano interact with sunlight, atmospheric oxygen, moisture, and dust.
Vog can be a health hazard for residents and guests with a history of respiratory issues according to the USGS.
Sulfur dioxide can also cause skin irritation, tissue and mucous membrane irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, and respiratory distress.
Individuals can also suffer from flu-like symptoms, lack of energy, and be at high risk of accidents when driving in traffic.
The USGS has issued a yellow advisory alert last week for the Kilauea volcano, which meant it was showing signs of elevated unrest.
The last time the Kilauea volcano erupted was in September, which also followed a swarm of small earthquakes.
The USGS watched lava spew to the surface from the 15th through the 20th.
The eruption occurred after two earthquakes, a 3.1- and 4.3 magnitude, hit the base of the volcano.
