The Hawaii Kilauea volcano made a dramatic exhibition on Sunday night, shooting lava sources more than 1,000 feet in the air. The eruption of six hours, which ended at 10:25 pm local time, marked episode 23 in a series of rashes that began last December.
According to the US Geological Service. Hawaiian volcano observatory (HVO), The event began at 4:15 pm local time when the thin lava jets began to sprout from the volcano ventilation.
In just 30 minutes, these planes were transformed into strong sources that reach heights of more than 1,000 feet, said HVO, near the height of Empire State Building or approximately twice the height of the Washington monument.
An hour later, a second source emerged from southern ventilation, reaching heights of approximately 800 feet, according to HVO.
The Hawaiian volcano observatory reported that the dramatic eruption produced large lava flows that covered approximately half of the floor of the halema’uma’u crater. According to its measurements, the volcanic column of the eruption reached heights of more than 14,000 feet in the sky.
The West Halemaʻumaʻu crater of the Kilauea volcano is shown in Hawaii on May 27, 2025.
USGS
While the eruption may sound alarming, HVO scientists say there is no immediate danger for the nearby communities of the lava. All activity remains within a closed area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and no unusual activity has been observed along other parts of the volcano.
Spectacular lava show: The Kilauea Volcano of Hawaii explodes again
USGS through Storyful
The eruption can still produce several dangers that residents must take into account, authorities say. The volcano releases sulfur dioxide that creates what the locals call “Vog” (volcanic smog) when it reacts in the atmosphere, according to HVO.
The eruption also creates “Pele’s hair”: HVO warned dangerous volcanic glass threads that float through the air and can damage people’s skin and eyes, HVO warned. In addition, high levels of volcanic gases in the area represent a risk for nearby, especially people with respiratory problems. The agency said.
A geologist from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory uses a FTIR (Fourier transformation infraction spectrometer) to measure the chemical composition of volcanic gas during splashing cycles and seismic tremor in active ventilation at the Kīlauea summit on May 22, 2025.
USGS
According to HVO scientists, there could soon be another eruption. The volcano has been following a pattern of eruption approximately once a week since December 2024. After each eruption, the volcano begins to inflate as the magma accumulates underground, preparing for the next show.
To obtain the latest updates and information from visitors, see the website of the National Park Volcanes of Hawaii’i at www.nps.gov/havo.
