The recent eruption of Kilauea began on December 23, 2024, in the summit caldera within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Eruption Start: The eruption started around 2:20 a.m. HST on December 23, 2024.
Lava Fountains: Lava fountains reached heights of up to 260 feet (approximately 80 meters).
Lava Coverage: The lava flows have covered about 650 acres (265 hectares) of the crater floor to an average depth of about 10 feet (3 meters).
Current Status: The eruption is currently confined to the summit caldera, and there are no immediate threats to infrastructure. However, volcanic gas emissions pose a hazard, especially to people with respiratory issues2.
Alert Level: The alert level was raised from "advisory" to "warning" but has since been lowered to "watch" as the eruption stabilized.
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