Eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu unexpectedly halts following prolonged spouting
The Halemaʻumaʻu crater, located within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, witnessed a significant eruptive episode on September 2. Known as Episode 32, this event lasted for 13.4 hours and marked a new high for short-lived fountain episodes of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption.
The lava fountains during this episode reached impressive heights of about 500 feet, feeding multiple lava streams confined to the crater floor. This outpouring of lava resulted in the production of over 12.5 million cubic yards (9.6 million cubic meters) of lava, making it one of the more substantial episodes in the current series.
The eruption began at 6:35 a.m. HST and ended abruptly at 8:01 p.m. HST, with the north vent, smaller middle, and south vents of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ceasing activity in that order. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about potential sulfur dioxide emissions and volcanic haze (vog) affecting areas to the south and west of the summit, depending on wind direction.
Despite the intensity of the eruption, there is no threat to nearby airports due to the event. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other scientific organizations have been closely monitoring the eruption, which began naturally in September 2024 and has seen notable episodes on September 15 and December 23, 2024.
It is important to note that Pele's hair and other volcanic fragments may drift several miles, potentially causing skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. The eruption plume has been observed reaching up to 20,000 feet above sea level, and images of the Halemaumau crater were captured from both the northeast and southern rims of the caldera this morning.
Emissions during active episodes can reach 50,000 tons per day, emphasizing the ongoing need for careful monitoring and precautions. The current eruption series at the Kilauea volcanic cone is a natural volcanic event, not initiated by any specific person or institution.
As always, the public is encouraged to stay informed and follow any advisories issued by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the National Weather Service.
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