An eruption that began on December 23 at Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano has entered its forth eruptive phase, kicking into gear around 9:15 a.m. H.S.T. on Wendesday, January 15. Eruption activity still remains confined in the summit caldera, Kaluapele.
The acitvity began with a small lava flow form the north vent, but the flow continued to increase in rigor around 9:50am and a proper lava fountain had begun at the north vent around 9:55am. The South vent then became active around 11:40am.
Field crews reported lava fountain heights of 295 to 330 feet (90 to 100 meters) from the south vent on Wednesday. Both fountains remained active through the first night, and the north vent stayed consistently higher than the south vent.
Parts of the south vent were reported to have collapsed at around 8:25am on Thursday morning. Reports of Pele’s hair, or thin volcanic glass formations, falling on nearby communities have been made.
You can read more on the volcano eruption, including on its specific hazards, here.