Spectacular videos capture the exact moment Kilauea bursts open, sending lava 500 meters into the air as authorities issue a new orange alert.
The Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, has erupted once again, releasing towering jets of lava and triggering renewed concern across the Big Island after a weekend of intense volcanic activity.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media show the moment glowing lava breaks through the crater floor, shooting upward and spilling rapidly across the summit area.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Kilauea experienced multiple eruption episodes throughout the weekend — part of a broader eruptive sequence that began in late 2024 and has now reached 37 total events.
During the strongest activity, lava fountains from two vents soared up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) into the air, visible from miles away.
When the eruptions paused, a massive plume of ash and volcanic gas drifted above the summit, blanketing the sky with haze.
24 OVERFLOWS IN A SINGLE DAY
The weekend escalation peaked on Saturday, November 22, when the southern vent overflowed 24 times between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM HST, according to USGS field data.
On Friday, November 21, both the north and south vents overflowed simultaneously between:
- 10:27–10:36 AM (HST)
- A second northern overflow occurred between 10:42–10:54 AM
The lava remains contained within Kilauea’s summit crater, and has not reached Volcano Village, located about 5 km (3 miles) away. Residents, however, are on heightened alert.
ORANGE ALERT & HEALTH RISKS
Due to the intensity of the eruptions, USGS issued an Orange Volcano Alert, now in effect through at least November 26, warning of:
- Increased eruptive activity
- Volcanic ash
- Elevated sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions
While the immediate danger to surrounding communities remains low, SO₂ gas and shifting winds could pose short-term respiratory risks.
Officials stress that conditions could change quickly.
MEMORY OF 2018 LOOMS
Residents remain cautious, remembering 2018, when Kilauea’s lower East Rift Zone eruption:
- Destroyed over 700 homes
- Forced thousands of evacuations
- Produced weeks of lava flows and hazardous air
Today’s activity is localized to the summit crater, but scientists say the volcano remains “highly dynamic.”
