Hawaii's Kilauea volcano resumes on-and-off again eruption that has dazzled park visitors

This image from webcam footage provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows lava fountains shooting up high in the latest episode of an ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 (United States Geological Survey via AP)

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s most active volcano resumed erupting Wednesday after a weeklong pause.

Kilauea began continuously releasing lava from its summit caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at 9:26 a.m., the U.S. Geological Survey said. The molten rock was contained within the park and wasn’t threatening residential areas.

The volcano began its current eruption on Dec. 23. It has stopped and resumed more than a dozen times since. The shortest episode lasted 13 hours, while the longest lasted eight days.

Each time, the volcano has sent lava shooting high into the sky from caldera vents, creating a dramatic sight for park visitors.

The eruption is the sixth recorded at Kilauea’s summit since 2020.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea also erupted in June and September 2024.

The park, on Hawaii’s Big Island, is about 200 miles (320 kilometres) south of Honolulu.

The Associated Press