Kilauea puts on fiery show as 54th eruption episode sends lava fountains soaring
Officials expect lava heights to grow rapidly to about 500 feet.
Watch: 54th eruption of Mount Kilauea Volcano
The 54th eruption of Mount Kilauea Volcano is underway as it continues its active summer.
THE TAKEAWAY
- The 54th eruption of the Mount Kilauea volcano is underway.
- Lava fountains could reach as high as 500 feet.
- Lava fountains are currently around 50 to 75 feet.
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii – Mount Kilauea continues its active streak of eruptions this summer as the 54th episode is underway in Hawaii.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), lava began to fountain at the summit around 10:30 a.m. HST.
The volcano continued to erupt as of Tuesday evening, with lava fountains around 50 to 75 feet high and no signs of slowing.
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Video footage shared by the USGS shows steadily increasing lava fountains gushing out of Kilauea and splashing down, creating a healthy flowing stream.
Lava fountaining from Mount Kilauea Volcano. (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's / Facebook)
Officials expect lava heights to grow rapidly to about 500 feet.
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This episode will likely produce moderate amounts of tephra, with larger pieces falling closer to the vents. Still, ash and Pele’s hair will certainly affect communities throughout Kaʻu and Pāhala.
54th eruption of Mount Kilauea Volcano. (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's / Facebook)
Kilauea's eruption comes as recent severe weather has plagued the Hawaiian Islands, and tropical weather conditions could have created deadly or catastrophic conditions if it occurred during an active eruption.
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Officials will continue to monitor this eruption as it grows and adds to the list of episodes over the last two years.