The latest eruption within Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater “ended abruptly at 10:25 a.m.” Friday after another brief but spectacular display of lava fountains topping 1,000 feet, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said.
HVO said “episode 26” of the nearly six-month, on-again, off-again eruption started Thursday at about 11:26 p.m. and “continued to increase in intensity until 1:40 a.m., when sustained fountaining began.”
At about 10:07 a.m. today, the north vent stopped erupting and the south vent stopped erupting less than 20 minutes later to end the episode.
“Volcanic gas emissions have greatly decreased. Lava flows from this episode on the floor of Halemaumau within the southern part of Kaluapele (Kilauea caldera) will continue to exhibit slow movement and incandescence as they cool and solidify over the coming days,” according to HVO’s update.
All lava activity since the current eruption started on Dec. 23 has been confined to the summit in a closed area of the national park, and has posed no threat to the public or structures, officials said.
With winds blowing from the north, volcanic gas emissions from the eruption is expected to blow south of the summit caldera, HVO said.
Hawaii County officials warned that lava activity attracts heavy traffic as residents and visitors flock to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for a view of the spectacle.
“Roadways may be congested, and pedestrians will be present, avoid the area if possible and drive with caution,” county officials said in an alert.
They said most lava fountaining episodes since the eruption began have continued for around a day or less and have been separated by pauses in eruptive activity lasting several days.
All lava activity has been confined to the summit in a closed area of the national park, and has posed no threat to the public or structures.
No changes have been detected in the east or southwest rift zones, HVO said. Kilauea’s volcano alert level remains at “watch” and the aviation alert color code remains orange.
The primary hazards from the current eruption remains volcanic gas, primarily water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide (SO2); volcanic haze or smog, known as vog, which can blow downwind; and Pele’s hair and other volcanic fragments from lava fountains, scientists say.
Vog and SO2 can blow downwind and cause respiratory problems at high concentrations. More information is available at vog.ivhhn.org.
Pele’s hair is strands of volcanic glass produced by lava fountaining and can also blow downwind with other volcanic fragments. Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to Pele’s hair and other fragments, which can cause skin and eye irritation, scientists said.
Source: The Garden Island
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