Watch video: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano spews lava 500 feet into air

One of the worldrsquos most active volcanoes Kilauea in Hawaii has erupted again sending dramatic fountains of lava high into the air at approximately 500 feet The officials have issued an aviation alert in code redAccording to a social media post by the US Geological Survey USGS the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has reported a fresh development in the ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano with a new eruptive episode beginning at approximately 1110 am HST on April 9This marks Episode 44 of the current eruptive sequence A Volcano Activity Notice VAN and Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation VONA have been issued as a precautionLava fountains from the volcanorsquos north vent were around 500 feet in height indicating increasing activity at the summitKlauea Eruption UpdateApril 9 2026 1 pm HSTEpisode 44 Lava fountaining began at 1110 am HST today April 9 and is ongoing at this time with lava fountains reaching over 500 feet above the vent and National Weather Service a plume 10000 feet above sea level andhellip pictwittercom1YaZU54ASLmdash USGS Volcanoes USGSVolcanoes April 9 2026The USGS also shared videos of the lava from KilaueaAuthorities have identified downwind volcanic gas emissions and falling tephra mdash small fragments of volcanic material mdash as the main hazardsMonitoring of the situation is ongoing with further updates expected as activity developsLava fountains and rising gas plumesA post on X by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Message 20260409 112423 HST Episode 44 began at approximately 1110 VANVONA has been issued Lava fountains from the north vent are currently under 300 feet high and growing Downwind gas emissions and tephra fall are the primary hazardsThe main concern during this eruption is volcanic gas especially sulphur dioxide carbon dioxide and water vapour These gases can travel long distances downwind and form a visible haze known as ldquovogrdquo volcanic smog which may cause breathing problems and eye irritationAnother hazard is ldquoPelersquos hairrdquo ndash fine strands of volcanic glass formed during lava fountains These sharp fibres can irritate the skin and eyes if they fall in populated areasAviation alertThe USGS raised the volcano alert level from advisory to warning with an aviation colour code red stating that it continues to assess the situationThe lava fountains remain below 150 metres 500 feet in height while the fall of tephra mdash small volcanic fragments mdash has decreased compared to earlier in the dayDue to a reduction in groundlevel hazards the Volcano Alert Level was hours later lowered to ldquoWatchrdquo However the Aviation Colour Code remains at ldquoRedrdquo indicating that volcanic ash emissions still pose a risk to aircraftAn another post on X by USGS said Episode 44 began at 1110 am and is ongoing Fountains are under 150 m 500 ft and tephra fall has decreased The Volcano Alert Level is now WATCH due to reduced ground hazards Aviation Color Code remains REDKlauea Update mdash Apr 9 6pm HSTEpisode 44 began at 1110 am and is ongoing Fountains are under 150 m 500 ft and tephra fall has decreased The Volcano Alert Level is now WATCH due to reduced ground hazards Aviation Color Code remains REDKilauea tephra lava pictwittercom844NDHo9Z2mdash USGS Volcanoes USGSVolcanoes April 10 2026A highly active volcanoKilauea has been erupting frequently since 1983 and remains one of the most active volcanoes on EarthWhile smaller than its neighbour Mauna Loa Kilauea is far more active and continues to draw global attention with its powerful and visually stunning eruptions