United States: Kilauea volcano erupts again in Hawaii

USGS scientists said they began detecting activity early Wednesday morning, within the perimeter of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and far from homes.

“Elevated levels of volcanic gases are a primary concern, as this hazard can have effects over a long distance due to winds,” the USGS noted.

The sulfur dioxide emitted by the volcano “will have a reaction in the atmosphere and create a visible haze called vog (volcanic smog)” that will spread beyond Kilauea.

The US agency warned that this “fog” can cause breathing difficulties for people and animals and can also affect crops.

She also warned of “pele hair,” very thin strands of solidified black lava that can irritate skin and cause eye problems named after the Hawaiian goddess of fire.

France Press agency

This eruption comes several months after the eruption of Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world, which woke up at the end of 2022 after more than forty years of sleep.

Lava fountains reaching up to sixty meters high pour rivers of molten rock down the sides of the volcano.

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Kilauea, which is called a “shield” volcano because it is flat, smaller, but more active than Mauna Loa. It erupts almost continuously between 1983 and 2019, and is one of six active volcanoes in the Hawaiian archipelago.

France Press agency