November 22, 2024
Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Erupts In Area That Was Dormant Since 1974

Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is erupting again, and this time in an area that has been inactive for half a century. Alert levels have been raised across Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as there are concerns the eruption could flare up again despite only lasting six hours on Monday. 

The US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption was about 1 mile south of the Kilauea caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The last time this area experienced an eruption was in December 1974. 

"Glow is visible in webcam imagery, indicating that lava is currently erupting from fissures," the US Geological Survey said. 

HVO raised the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from a "watch" to a "warning." The aviation color code in the surrounding area has been elevated from "orange" to "red."

Fox News Weather spoke with scientists who say there's no telling how long the current eruption will last. 

Before the eruption, USGS reported earthquake swarms on Sunday as magma moved beneath the surface. 

In 2023, Kilauea erupted in January, June and September. An eruption in 2018 destroyed 700 homes. 

"From 1983 to 2018, all of the activity came from two vents," said Michael Poland, a geophysicist with the USGS, who spoke with The New York Times

Poland continued, "Since 2018, it has gone away from a period of steady eruptions. Now it has discrete, usually shortish eruptions happening in several different places. Now we're getting eruptions happening in places we haven't seen in 50 years."

Tyler Durden Mon, 06/03/2024 - 18:00

Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is erupting again, and this time in an area that has been inactive for half a century. Alert levels have been raised across Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as there are concerns the eruption could flare up again despite only lasting six hours on Monday. 

The US Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption was about 1 mile south of the Kilauea caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The last time this area experienced an eruption was in December 1974. 

“Glow is visible in webcam imagery, indicating that lava is currently erupting from fissures,” the US Geological Survey said. 

HVO raised the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from a “watch” to a “warning.” The aviation color code in the surrounding area has been elevated from “orange” to “red.”

Fox News Weather spoke with scientists who say there’s no telling how long the current eruption will last. 

Before the eruption, USGS reported earthquake swarms on Sunday as magma moved beneath the surface. 

In 2023, Kilauea erupted in January, June and September. An eruption in 2018 destroyed 700 homes. 

“From 1983 to 2018, all of the activity came from two vents,” said Michael Poland, a geophysicist with the USGS, who spoke with The New York Times

Poland continued, “Since 2018, it has gone away from a period of steady eruptions. Now it has discrete, usually shortish eruptions happening in several different places. Now we’re getting eruptions happening in places we haven’t seen in 50 years.”

Loading…