Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts, warnings urge locals to stay indoors: report

The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island began erupting Wednesday morning, prompting warnings as experts continued to monitor the site.

The eruption was first noticed around 4:45 a.m. local time, shortly after an eruption watch was issued, the US Geological Survey announced.

Live footage of the volcano’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater on Wednesday afternoon shows smoke rising from the site while bright orange lava bubbles underneath.

The alert level for Kilauea was raised to red for “warning,” the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (EMA) said.

Though locals are urged to stay indoors and wear masks outside to reduce exposure to volcanic gas, the agency clarified that there is currently no indication that populated areas are threatened.

The eruption may cause “very light ashfall” in the Puna, Hau, and South Kona districts of Hawaii Island through 6 p.m. local time, the National Weather Service Honolulu announced. 

Some volcano smog, or “vog,” has already been observed downwind of the volcano, according to CBS News. 

Located on the southeastern shore of the Big Island, Kilauea is believed to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiin fire goddess, the outlet said.

The storied volcano has erupted several times over the years, including from Jan. 5 through March 7 this year, and intermittently from Sept. 2021 through March 2022.

The infamous Pu’u’ō’ō’ Eruption lasted from 1983 to 2018.

By the end of the 35-year period, the conical lava lake at the eastern end of the volcano was “catastrophically collapsed.”

In addition to volcanic gas, those in the vicinity of the eruption also risk exposure to Pele’s hair, or thin glass fibers that form when gas bubbles burst near the surface of lava and stretch its skin into long threads, CBS said.

“While fragile and brittle, they are also sharp. As tiny pieces of glass, they can become lodged in human skin and much worse, eyes. Caution around the fibers is necessary to avoid injury from the slivers,” the National Park Service explained.