Hawaii
Kilauea: Hawaii volcano erupts again spewing toxic gases and volcanic smog
Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano has entered its fifth eruptive episode since late December 2024, resuming activity at 2:57 p.m. HST (7:57 p.m. ET) on January 22, 2025.
Fountains of lava between 16 and 33 feet high have been observed, accompanied by a short lava flow from the volcano’s north vent.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported seismic tremor increasing as the eruption began, with ongoing inflation beneath Halemaʻumaʻu crater indicating continued activity.
“Once sufficient pressure builds, it can push magma up to the surface to start another eruptive episode,” Katie Mulliken, a geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), told Newsweek.
“Episodes are marked by the onset of lava fountains and rapid deflation of the source magma chamber.”
This zoom view of the two active lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists during an observational visit to the southern crater rim on the morning of January 16, 2025.
USGS
Why This Matters
Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, having erupted dozens of times since 1952.
While the current eruption is by no means the largest or longest at the volcano, significant hazards persist for residents and visitors.
How Dangerous is the Hawaii Eruption?
Kīlauea’s current eruption activity remains confined within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater and Kaluapele, located in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. While the activity is contained within a closed area of the National Park, the HVO has warned of several hazards.
Volcanic gas emissions of water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are the “primary concern,” as they can be blown over large distances. Sulfur dioxide, in particular, reacts with the atmosphere to form a visible haze known as volcanic smog, or “vog”.
Anyone’s health can be impacted when inhaling vog, but sensitive groups such as people with respiratory conditions, older adults, children and pregnant women should exercise extra caution.
Current air quality data from the Hawaii State Department of Health shows conditions have not deteriorated as of yet, with all monitoring stations at “good” levels on the island.
Pele’s hair—strands of volcanic glass produced by lava fountains and carried by the wind—is another hazard associated with eruptions at Kīlauea.
“As lava is ejected through the air, lava particles can be stretched apart, and the material in between can become very thin and form the glassy strands,” Mulliken said.
“It can sometimes cluster and tangle together on the ground, giving it the appearance of a tumbleweed.”
Mulliken confirmed that during the fourth eruptive episode, which ended on January 18, Pele’s hair reached residential communities within several miles of the summit.
She added, “Hazards associated with Pele’s hair are similar to those associated with volcanic ash. Both are abrasive particles with sharp edges that can irritate eyes, respiratory systems and skin.
“Most Pele’s hair is too large to be inhaled, but people with existing respiratory diseases, like asthma, might find that their symptoms are worse when they are exposed to airborne volcanic particles.”
Anyone in the area is advised to limit exposure to volcanic gases and Pele’s hair where possible.
What Happens Next
Live webcams positioned at Kīlauea’s summit reveal the eruption was still ongoing as of 2:14 a.m. HST (7:14 a.m. ET).
HVO is continuing to monitor the situation and is expected to release another update later this morning.
Each eruptive episode at Kīlauea has lasted between 14 hours and 8 days, separated by a pause of 1 to 12 days. Its unclear how long this current episode will last.
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