Hawaii – Kilauea Volcano welcomes 2023 with a new eruption

The evening of 05 January saw the Kilauea Volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii, within Volcanoes National Park roar back to life with an eruption which sent lava shooting as high as 150 feet into the air. The eruption last night was captured by the USGS in a stunning photo (see below) showing the lava within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Mauna Loa volcano remains quiet.

Mid-December both Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes had seen their eruptions ceased erupting.

From the USGS:

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT
U.S. Geological Survey
Thursday, January 5, 2023, 8:09 PM HST (Friday, January 6, 2023, 06:09 UTC)
KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25’16” N 155°17’13” W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: RED

The summit eruption of Kīlauea that began within Halemaʻumaʻu crater just after 4:30 p.m. HST today, January 5, 2023, continues at this time.  All activity is confined to Kīlauea summit region, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. There are no indications of activity migrating out of the summit region.

Multiple minor fountains are active in the central eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor; the largest lava fountain is consistently about 10 meters (32 feet) high. Fountain bursts up to 30 meters (98 feet) high occurred around 7:45 p.m. and there were several bursts up to 50 meters (164 feet) high during the initial part of the eruption. Lava flows have inundated much of the crater floor (which is nearly 300 acres or 120 hectares).  As of approximately 7:30 p.m. about 10 meters (32 feet) depth of new lava had been added to the crater floor.

Summit tilt switched from inflation to deflation around 5 p.m. HST. Following the eruption onset, summit earthquake activity greatly diminished and eruptive tremor (a signal associated with fluid movement) resumed. Volcanic gas emissions in the eruption area are elevated.

Kīlauea’s volcano alert level and aviation color code will remain at WARNING/RED as this eruption and associated hazards are evaluated overnight.  

The summit eruption of Kīlauea has not had an impact on Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa remains quiet.