Holiday visitors to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park got a special treat as the Kīlauea volcano began erupting at 2:20 a.m. on December 23. A press release from the park announced the eruption and warned visitors to expect crowded overlooks, full parking lots and busy roads.
The eruption has been closely monitored by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. They reportedly monitored increased activity at the summit and observed intensifying earthquakes and ground deformation about half an hour before lava breached the surface of the crater floor.
After the eruption, they stated that the primary eruption hazards are high levels of toxic volcanic gas and fine volcanic particles. The eruptions occurred away from infrastructure and the USGS, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Hawaii County Civil Defense have continued to communicate on any other potential hazards.
The strong winds in the park are blowing the plume away from the viewing areas, leaving plenty of opportunities for visitors to catch sight of the action.
Early December 23, USGS stated the fountains of lava reached heights of over 295 ft (90 m) and the plume reached about 6,000 feet above ground level. By 5:30 a.m., a lake of lava covered about 500 acres of the caldera floor and lava fountains in the southwest corner reached about 250 feet.
By about 4 p.m. on the same day, USGS reported that after hours of exciting volcanic activity, the eruption had paused. Lava had covered about 650 acres and is estimated to be about 1 yard thick.
Eruption continues
The next day, Christmas Eve, the eruption reactivated at several of the vents along the southwest of the Halema-uma-u crater floor. Glowing red lava fountains continued to erupt through many of the previously formed vents. This episode of the eruption lasted about 24 hours before volcanic activity paused once again on Christmas day.
USGS researchers are saying that prior summit eruptions have lasted days to weeks and there is a high probability that this eruption will resume if the summit repressurizes over the coming days.
Planning to visit? Park rangers urge everyone to plan ahead take the following precautions:
- Expect crowds. Parking will be limited or full at popular areas. Arrive after 9 p.m. and well before sunrise for a better experience. The park is open 24 hours a day, and it is extremely dark after nightfall. Bring a headlamp when visiting during darkness.
- Check the air quality before you arrive and during your visit. People with respiratory or heart issues and pregnant women are especially sensitive to volcanic gas.
- Stay on trail, stay out of closed areas and away from cliff edges and other hazardous terrain. Keep children near you at all times. Stay hydrated.
- Watch out for nēnē. It is breeding season for the rare Hawaiian goose. Nēnē are often encountered in parking lots and seen near roadways. Drive cautiously, never feed them and keep a distance of at least 60 feet (four car lengths).
- Drive safely. The holidays are the busiest season for park visitation, especially during an eruption. Drive the speed limit, heed park rangers and traffic control workers, and stay attentive.
- Check the park website before you arrive. The eruption and other conditions could change at anytime resulting in closures and limited access, or the eruption could end abruptly.
- Enjoy respectfully. Eruptions are powerful events as Pele, the elemental volcanic force, returns to Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Observe eruptions quietly to hear the sounds of lava.
