Kilauea volcano eruption intensifies on Hawaii: danger level raised - video

The ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano on Hawaii has entered a new, 52nd phase of activity, accompanied by powerful lava ejections.

Due to the intensification of volcanic activity, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) through the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has raised the volcanic danger level from "Warning" to "Watch," and the aviation color code from yellow to orange.

According to experts, the new phase of the eruption officially began on the evening of July 28 at 19:10 local time. At that moment, continuous lava fountaining began in the northern vent located inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Initially, the height of the lava ejections reached about 30 meters, but within the next hour the intensity of the eruption increased significantly.

As reported by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, by 19:51 the height of the lava fountain had increased to approximately 60 meters, and a few minutes later reached about 90 meters and continued to grow. At the same time, scientists recorded an increase in volcanic tremor, rapid subsidence of the volcano's summit surface, and active spread of lava flows that covered about ten percent of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Before the start of the most intense phase of the eruption, HVO specialists warned of the possible spread of volcanic ash and tephra. According to scientists' forecasts, northerly and northeasterly winds could carry eruption products toward the settlements of Pahala and Naalehu, while air currents at higher altitudes could spread volcanic material over Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanologists also remind of the ongoing risks in the Kilauea summit area. Among the potential threats are unstable crater walls, ground cracks, rockfalls, and local landslides near the caldera. For this reason, access to the most dangerous sections of the volcano's summit has remained closed to visitors for many years.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the ongoing Kilauea eruption began on December 23, 2024. During this time, more than fifty separate episodes of increased activity have been recorded, with most phases of intense lava fountaining lasting no more than a day.

Specialists continue round-the-clock monitoring of the volcano, assessing further development of the eruption and possible risks to the population and aviation.