HVO reports brief eruption at Kilauea volcano; alert level remains at ‘watch’

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kilauea volcano erupted briefly on Sunday night, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

The eruption occurred just west of Napau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone in Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park sometime between 9 and 10 p.m., officials said.

The lava extended roughly 50 yards from the fissure vents. Residents of nearby subdivisions reported smelling volcanic gas and other smells around that time.

HVO officials said the eruption is now over, but the agency previously increased alert levels after earthquake activity and gas emissions increased over the weekend.

The HVO raised the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from an “advisory” to a “watch.” The aviation color code was also raised from “yellow” to “orange.”

The U.S. Geological Survey said “intrusion of magma” began on Sept. 14 in Kilauea’s middle East Rift Zone, increasing the potential of an eruption. Current activity is taking place in a remote area of the rift zone, within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

“Intense and localized earthquakes between Maunaulu and Makaopuhi Crater, accompanied by ground deformation patterns indicative of underground crack growth began at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday,” USGS HVO said.

Earthquakes and ground deformation rates began to suddenly increase more after 11a.m. Monday, prompting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to close several areas in case an eruption does occur.

About 60 earthquakes have been detected in the area, the largest of which was a magnitude-4.3.

Scientists said on Sunday night, infrasound instruments detected a strong signal typical of gas or steam venting, and seismometers in the middle East Rift Zone are recording weak, sustained low frequency tremor. However, strong rainfall is making it difficult to interpret the activity on Kilauea.

“In 2007, an intrusion in this area erupted a very small pad of lava approximately the size of half a football field, so it is possible a similarly small eruption could take place without detection in these conditions. Numerous eruptions took place in this area during the 1960s–1970s, most of which lasted less than one day to about two weeks,” USGS said in a news release.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed Chain of Craters Road to the heightened gas emissions and volcanic unrest.

Park visitors are urged to plan ahead and check the park website for any closure or hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

Kilauea last erupted on June 3, four kilometers southwest of Kilauea’s caldera within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It lasted only a couple hours.

This story may be updated.