# @usgs on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DD8EmVUSyGx
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69013941-usgs-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/b7cf4e99b8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-12-23T23:04:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (@USGS) — https://gondola.cc/USGS

## Caption

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 time. The eruption is occurring in Kīlauea’s summit caldera, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, away from infrastructure and the USGS, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Hawaii County Civil Defense are in close contact about hazards.
 
The eruption is generating a vigorous plume of volcanic gas, which is reaching elevations estimated at 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level and being transported downwind to the southwest. Volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)—are the primary hazard of concern as this hazard can have far-reaching effects downwind. SO2 can also react in the atmosphere to create the visible haze known as vog (volcanic smog) downwind.
 
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open to visitors 24 hours a day and very busy. Please visit the park webpage for viewing locations and instructions.

Video description: Time lapse video compiled from webcam images showing lava fountains feeding lava flows across the caldera. 

#NaturalHazards #volcanoes #hawaii

## Stats

- **Views:** 2,373,131
- **Likes:** 74,843
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- **Comments:** 239

## Tags

volcanoes, naturalhazards, hawaii

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