Kilauea volcano has erupted for the 31st time since December, sending lava arcs 30 meters high across its summit crater floor in a fiery spectacle that continues to captivate Hawaii and the world. The eruption began Friday morning with spattering from the north vent, followed by an overflow and dramatic lava fountains by afternoon.
The eruption remains safely contained within the summit crater, posing no threat to nearby homes. Visitors at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are witnessing nature’s power up close, while thousands more tune in to livestreams from three vantage points set up by the US Geological Survey.
Park Service volunteer Janice Wei, who regularly documents the eruptions, described the experience as feeling like “sitting in the front row at nature’s most extraordinary show.” She said the sound of the lava resembles a jet engine or crashing waves, and its heat can be felt from over a mile away.
The science behind the eruption is just as dramatic. Magma is rising from deep within the earth into a lower chamber beneath Halemaumau Crater at a rate of 3.8 cubic meters per second. This pressure pushes magma into an upper chamber, which then forces it to the surface through narrow vents. The result: towering lava fountains, sometimes reaching 300 meters into the air.
This explosive release happens when fresh magma builds up beneath heavier, degassed magma left from previous episodes. Once the pressure is too great, the new magma bursts through like a shaken bottle of champagne.
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