HONOLULU – Lava from Kilauea volcano shot up to 1,000 feet into the air on Tuesday, a dramatic display that caused the temporary shutdown of a national park and a stretch of Highway 11, a key island thoroughfare. The eruption spewed glassy volcanic fragments, known as tephra, along with ash, prompting the closures.
The molten rock remained contained within the volcano's summit crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, posing no immediate threat to homes or structures. However, the airborne debris necessitated the shutdown of sections of the highway and parts of the national park surrounding the summit.
Kilauea, situated on Hawaii's Big Island, has been engaged in intermittent eruptions for over a year, with lava fountains periodically piercing the sky. Live feeds showed two distinct plumes of bright red lava and smoke. The current eruptive phase began on Tuesday morning, following a longer eruption that commenced in December.
Read More: Rajasthan Bishnoi Community Protests Tree Cutting for Solar Farms
The falling tephra presents hazards, including potential respiratory issues from ash in the air and the risk of accumulation affecting utilities. Authorities issued warnings regarding the volcanic ash, advising that it could impede breathing and impact infrastructure.