51st eruption of Mount Kilauea volcano produces large plumes of smoke and lava in Hawaii

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii – The 51st eruption of the Mount Kilauea Volcano is underway in Hawaii as it produces large plumes of smoke and gushing lava.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), episode 51 of lava fountaining began at 8:30 a.m. HST on Wednesday.

Lava fountain heights quickly jumped to 950 feet and spread at about 400 cubic yards per second.

As the volcano got off to a hot start, the National Weather Service reported the smoke plume from the eruption reaching 18,000 feet above sea level, along with light amounts of Pele’s hair falling along Highway 11 outside the national park.

"Fountaining episodes typically last 12 hours or less, but ash can remain in the air for longer depending on wind and weather conditions," the USGS said.

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A video shared by the USGS shows lava steadily flowing from the summit before increasing over time.

The USGS warned of low-level winds moving the lower part of the smoke plume southwest of the summit, resulting in tephra fall below the eruption's inversion level (about 8,000 to 10,000 feet).

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As the volcano continues to erupt, the National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for the region due to the threat of falling ash amid winds up to 13 mph.