Kīlauea eruptions send fountains of lava arching more than 1,000 feet in the air
Kīlauea Eruptions Create Dramatic Lava Displays Over 1,000 Feet High
Dec. 23, 2024 – Hawaii
On Tuesday evening, Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano delivered a dramatic display, with its latest eruptive activity producing towering red lava arcs that surpassed the height of several skyscrapers. The eruption’s intensity was marked by prolonged eruptions generating lava fountains exceeding 1,000 feet, with some reaching over 1,300 feet—equivalent to the Empire State Building’s upper floors.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the flare-up as part of an ongoing eruption that began on December 23, 2024. A live stream of the event attracted thousands of viewers, capturing the volcano’s dynamic activity. According to the USGS, lava flows had engulfed approximately one-third of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor, a bowl-shaped area at the volcano’s summit.
“Lava flows ‘have covered about one third of the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater,'” the USGS noted in its daily update.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service closed Kīlauea’s summit area due to risks from glassy volcanic fragments called tephra. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency also shut down Highway 11, the primary route to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, for the same reason. Nearby communities, such as Volcano Village and Mauna Loa Estates, faced potential impacts from tephra.
“Major volcanic eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected with hazardous activity both on the ground and in the air,” the USGS stated, assigning its highest warning level—red—to the current episode.
The National Weather Service extended an ashfall alert for the national park and surrounding regions southeast and southwest of the volcano until 11 p.m. local time. The warning indicates that volcanic ash is airborne and may cause respiratory discomfort, while accumulation could disrupt utilities. Residents in the affected zone were advised to remain indoors, seal windows and doors, and keep electronic devices away from outside air.
Dennis Romero, a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital, provided updates on the situation. As the eruption continued, authorities emphasized the need for vigilance and preparedness in the region.
