(Oct. 15, 2021) Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Eruption Currently Poses No Threat to Resident Towns
Channel: La Palma Volcano
Date: 2021-10-15

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Eruption Currently Poses No Threat to Resident Towns

Officials with the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed Wednesday that an eruption began in the crater of Hawaii's Big Island Kilauea volcano. So far the eruption has been contained within Hawaii Volcanos National Park and away from residential areas.

Earlier Wednesday, increased earthquake activity and ground swelling had been detected and raised the volcano's alert level to "warning," officials said. The aviation code also changed to red.

Footage of the Halemaumau crater showed lava fountains covering the floor and volcanic gas clouds rising into the air. Throughout the volcano's eruptive history, the same area has been home to a large lava lake.

Kilauea had been slowly erupting since 1983. In 2018, a major eruption destroyed over 700 homes and displaced thousands of residents, the Associated Press reported.

During that time, occasional streams of lava traveled to rural farms and homes but away from densely populated spaces.

Ken Hon, a USGS scientist in charge of Hawaii Volcano Observatory, said currently all the activity is within the park. "We're not seeing any indications that lava is moving into the lower part of the east rift zone where people live," said Hon.