Kīlauea volcano is erupting in hawaiivolcanoesnps. Let’s get you caught up.   The eruption began around 2:20 am on December 23, 2024. The usgs Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientists had been tracking increased activity at the summit and observed intensifying earthquakes and ground deformation about a half-hour before lava breached the surface of the crater floor. The USGS raised the alert level at the volcano to RED, indicating an eruption was underway.   Several HVO webcams caught the opening moments. Initially, fountains of lava reached heights of over 295 ft (90 m). Airborne molten rock was ejected from vents on the caldera floor and tossed as high as the west caldera rim, within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Lava from the vents spread out over the caldera floor to cover more than 500 acres within hours of the eruption.   The eruption has stabilized and the USGS lowered the alert level to ORANGE indicating hazards persist and activity could change at any...