Kilauea erupts, pauses in span of a single day
Kilauea volcano erupted for about 12 hours Monday before taking a break.
The eruption that began southwest of Kilauea’s summit at approximately 12:30 a.m. paused by about 12:30 p.m.
However, activity in the region remained dynamic and could change quickly, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Lava flows were sluggish between 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and had ceased moving by approximately 12:30 p.m. However, areas of incandescence and elevated volcanic gas emissions continued Monday.
The new eruption of Kilauea occurred in a remote unpopulated area about 2.5 miles southwest of the Kilauea caldera in a closed region of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
HVO said the most recent eruption in that area was in December 1974 and lasted six hours.
According to HVNP, due to the remote and unpredictable nature of the fissure eruption, the following temporary closures were in place as of Monday: Hilina Pali Road from Chain of Craters Road intersection; Kulanaokuaiki Campground; Pepeiao Cabin; Ka‘u Desert Trail and pullout on Highway 11; Maunaiki Trail.
“A beautiful red-orange lava glow was visible in the sky before dawn from overlooks along Crater Rim Trail including Uekahuna and Volcano House,” HVNP said Monday morning in a statement. “Early risers witnessed the glowing evidence of Pele, the elemental force of Hawaiian volcanoes, return for the first time since September 2023. After daybreak, a wispy distant gas plume became visible from Uekahuna and other summit overlooks.”
The park on Monday said it expected an influx of visitors hoping to see the latest volcanic activity.
Most popular areas in the park remained open, including Kilauea Visitor Center, overlooks along Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House, Nahuku lava tube, and Chain of Craters Road, but no lava was visible to the public from those areas.
Park visitors were urged to plan ahead and check the park website for closure and hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.
Prior to Monday, the previous eruption of Kilauea began Sept. 10, 2023, and ceased on Sept. 16, 2023.
