HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Kīlauea is erupting again, but scientists assured there is no threat to communities or infrastructure.
The USGS said lava has stopped but gases remain from fissures in a remote area within Volcanoes National Park.
On Monday morning, the USGS took a beautiful video of lava coming from Kīlauea's latest eruption site.
"It's been 50 years since the last eruption in this area. What's interesting is that today's eruption is pretty much in the same place as the last eruption in 1974, so it's very interesting in that respect in terms of the history of recent eruptions," explained David Phillips, USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory's Deputy Scientist In-Charge.
The last eruption was within Halemaumau in September 2023. Phillips said increased seismic activity in January and February is likely connected to this eruption.
"Then things got quiet for a couple of weeks and then there were more earthquakes, and then there were less again more magma was coming into the system, and finally last night magma came in," Phillips added. "The fissure built up once in the same direction that we had that activity and intrusion back in January and February and that probably contributed to the eruption we’re seeing today."
Phillips said there were four active fissures this morning, which dropped to one by this afternoon.
"What's interesting so far is that even though this is a relatively small eruption, the amount of the S2 is higher than we would expect, and it seems to continue at the current levels," Phillips said.
Those gases are what will provide people with the chance to see that beautiful orange glow.
"I’m actually pretty excited to see it," said Texas visitor Lexie Rodriguez. "My aunt told me it only happens a few times and only a few people are lucky to see it."
The spokesperson for the park said today has been extremely busy and the park is working on creating overflow parking for those coming up this evening.
Viewing options are limited for the eruption. Unlike other recent events that took place in the crater itself, this one is remote.
Suggested overlooks include Uēkahuna, which is the site of the former Jagger Museum Volcano House, and Wahinekapu also known as the "steam vent."
