Honolulu, Aug 19 (AP) – High in the Hawaiian sky, lava erupts dramatically, shooting from two vents at once. The night is painted in hues of red and orange, a fiery reflection of the molten rock spreading across a summit crater.
Scientists anticipate another eruption from Kilauea in the coming days, marking the 31st such event since December. Known as one of the globe's most active volcanoes, Kilauea is poised once again to put on a display.
Residents and visitors fortunate enough to be at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will have a front-row seat to the spectacle. For a broader audience, the event will be available via popular livestreams provided by the US Geological Survey's three camera angles.
Janice Wei, a volunteer with the Park Service, never misses the chance to capture the stunning scenes of Halemaumau Crater, a site revered in Native Hawaiian tradition as the dwelling of the volcano goddess Pele.
Wei describes the sound of the lava's ascent as a mix of a roaring jet engine and crashing ocean waves, with a palpable heat felt from over a mile away. “Every eruption feels like I am sitting in the front row at nature's most extraordinary show,” Wei wrote in an email.
Kilauea is located on Hawaii Island, the archipelago's largest, roughly 320 kilometers south of Honolulu on Oahu.
Kilauea’s Latest Eruption
A lower magma chamber beneath Halemaumau Crater receives an influx of magma from the earth's interior at a rate of 5 cubic yards per second, according to Ken Hon, scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory.
This influx inflates the chamber like a balloon, pushing magma to an upper chamber and eventually through cracks above ground.
Since December, magma has consistently used the same path to the surface, linking the initial release to recent episodes as part of the same eruption, Hon explained.
Many episodes have featured lava soaring over 300 meters into the air, propelled by narrow, pipe-like vents. As the magma rises, its contained gases are released, creating spectacular fountains when pressure builds enough to force previously degassed magma away.
Kilauea has exhibited this pattern only four times in the past 200 years. The last such series began in 1983 with 44 explosive sessions over three years, albeit in a remote location.
Previous events occurred in 1959 and 1969.
Predicting Kilauea’s Future
The conclusion or evolution of the current eruption remains unpredictable. The 1983 eruption eventually led to a more consistent outflow from a lower vent, which continued in some form until 2018.
A similar event could occur now, or the eruption might cease at the summit if magma supply diminishes. Scientists employ sensors to detect volcanic changes, which help forecast eruptions within a few days to a week.
“Our job is like being a bunch of ants crawling on an elephant trying to figure out how the elephant works,” said Hon.
According to Steve Lundblad, a geology professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the shorter lava fountaining recently observed might be due to a widening vent, reducing pressure.
“We're still gonna have spectacular eruptions," Lundblad noted. "They're just going to be wider and not as high.”
Tales of Pele
Lava flows may appear destructive to some, but Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, executive director of the Edith Kanakaole Foundation, sees it as a resource that solidifies into land, forming the bedrock of Hawaii Island.
Named after her grandmother – a revered expert in Hawaiian language and culture – Kanahele-Mossman's foundation honors Hawaii's traditions rooted in the stories of Pele and her sister, Hiiaka.
Kanahele-Mossman finds inspiration in witnessing the eruptions firsthand, correlating them with the ancient tales her foundation's hula school performs. She pays homage at the crater, offering traditional chants and gifts like a drink made from kava and a fern lei.
“As a dancer, you carry the history written in those mele forward,” she explained. “Seeing an eruption like those described in the mele excites us and motivates us to preserve these traditions.”
Planning a Visit
Visitor numbers to the park have surged this year, partly due to the eruption. April alone saw a 49 percent increase in visitors compared to last year's numbers.
Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane advises potential spectators to register for US Geological Survey alert notifications, as recent episodes typically last just 10 to 12 hours.
Visitors should adhere to marked trails and overlooks, as hidden dangers like unstable cliff edges and earth cracks pose serious risks. Keeping young children close is recommended.
Volcanic gas, glass, and ash present additional hazards. Those visiting after dark should carry flashlights for safety. (AP) GRS GRS
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