Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Hawaii volcanoes erupting now in 2023

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https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/2023-summit-eruption.htm

Hawaii volcanoes erupting now in 2023

Park Closures

Mauna Loa Trail Closed
Alert 1, Severity closure, Mauna Loa Trail Closed
Mauna Loa Trail and backcountry are closed from the top of Mauna Loa Road. The summit and both cabins are closed due to hazards from the recent eruption.
Puʻupuaʻi Parking Area and Part of Devastation Trail Closed to Protect Nēnē
Date Posted: 1/6/2023Alert 2, Severity closure, Puʻupuaʻi Parking Area and Part of Devastation Trail Closed to Protect Nēnē
Puʻupuaʻi Overlook and parking area are closed to protect nēnē. Devastation Trail is partially open from Devastation parking area and Old Crater Rim Drive remains open.

2 more non-emergency alert notifications...

2023 Summit Eruption

A large lava lake producing several fountains of lava at night. — Views of the lava lake during the first night of the eruption on January 5, 2023. Lava is visible from most overlooks along Crater Rim Drive.
NPS Photo/M.Newman

Anticipation grew after nearly a month-long pause at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. On January 5, 2023, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists recorded heightened earthquake activity and changes in ground deformation. This indicated that magma was on the rise. HVO raised the alert to “watch” and “orange," and at 3:28 p.m. a 3.2 magnitude earthquake joggled visitors at the national park.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. a surge of lava burst from the floor of Halema'uma'u crater. Visitors and rangers saw awe-inspiring fountains that roared 164 feet (50 meters) into the air. Lava flows inundated the crater floor within hours and filled a 277-acre (112 hectares) area; roughly the size of 240 American football fields.

The only remnants that remained were the higher-elevation "islands" formed during the initial phase of the December 2020 eruption and a ring of older lava around the hardened lava lake from December 2022.

Fountains During the Initial Phase of the 2023 Eruption

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Increased pressure beneath the Halema'uma'u crater led to a 164-foot fountain during the initial phase of the 2023 eruption. In this video, lava outgasses at the surface of an active lava lake producing lava fountains.