USGS Sounds Alarm Over Hawaii's Erupting Kilauea Volcano
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has issued an orange "watch" alert for the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, warning that the ongoing eruption is showing signs of increased activity. The alert was triggered by longer-lasting lava flows and a high likelihood of another fountaining episode.
Lava fountaining episodes have been occurring approximately once per week to several weeks since December 2024, marking the 37th such event this year alone. The current eruption has seen intermittent periods of intense lava flow, with the most recent being longer-lasting than usual and including low-dome fountains.
High levels of sulfur dioxide gas are a major concern due to their impact on air quality. Sulfur dioxide reacts in the atmosphere to produce vog or volcanic smog that can cause respiratory issues at high concentrations. Residents and visitors are advised to minimize exposure to this hazardous air.
The USGS has warned about another major hazard: Pele's hair, small strands of volcanic glass that can travel over 10 miles from a vent. Exposure to these fragments can cause skin and eye irritation as well as contaminate catchment water supplies.
Volcanic instability and rockfalls are also expected in the Halemaสปumaสปu crater area, which has been closed to the public since 2007 due to safety concerns.
The USGS predicts that another fountaining episode is likely to occur by November 26 with the highest probability on Tuesday.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has issued an orange "watch" alert for the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, warning that the ongoing eruption is showing signs of increased activity. The alert was triggered by longer-lasting lava flows and a high likelihood of another fountaining episode.
Lava fountaining episodes have been occurring approximately once per week to several weeks since December 2024, marking the 37th such event this year alone. The current eruption has seen intermittent periods of intense lava flow, with the most recent being longer-lasting than usual and including low-dome fountains.
High levels of sulfur dioxide gas are a major concern due to their impact on air quality. Sulfur dioxide reacts in the atmosphere to produce vog or volcanic smog that can cause respiratory issues at high concentrations. Residents and visitors are advised to minimize exposure to this hazardous air.
The USGS has warned about another major hazard: Pele's hair, small strands of volcanic glass that can travel over 10 miles from a vent. Exposure to these fragments can cause skin and eye irritation as well as contaminate catchment water supplies.
Volcanic instability and rockfalls are also expected in the Halemaสปumaสปu crater area, which has been closed to the public since 2007 due to safety concerns.
The USGS predicts that another fountaining episode is likely to occur by November 26 with the highest probability on Tuesday.
. I mean, sure, it's a volcano and all, but it's Hawaii, like, who doesn't love a good volcanic eruption every now and then? It's not like they're gonna blow up or anything (although, technically, that's kinda what's happening). And come on, 37 fountaining episodes this year? That's like, some serious entertainment 
. Plus, it's not like ppl are gonna get hurt or anything... just a little sulfur dioxide and some glass shards, big deal 
. I mean, the USGS is warning about stuff, but do they really think we can't handle a little volcanic drama? 
Let's be real, folks, we're in Hawaii, where else are we gonna find a good ol' fashioned volcano eruption to enjoy 
?
i'm lowkey scared but also kinda fascinated by these lava flows they're so cool 
my only concern is about that sulfur dioxide gas tho - it sounds super hazardous for our health 
u think the gov is doing enough to keep ppl safe over there? btw i've been reading about how pele's hair works & its like, whoa tiny shards of glass that can travel far... 
It's like they're saying "be prepared for the worst case scenario"... and we should hope it doesn't happen! 
And those sulfur dioxide levels are scary too. Like, how do you avoid breathing in toxic air without, like, being a total hermit or staying indoors all the time?
. Small strands of glassy stuff that can travel miles? That just doesn't sound right... How do we know it's safe and won't, like, mess with our water supply or something?
gotta say, kilauea's been actin up lately... these lava flows are gettin long and intense 
... vog is no joke, can cause respiratory issues 
... and pele's hair? small strands of glass that can travel miles away... sounds like it could catch u off guard 
... showin where the fountaining episodes are most likely to happen, and warn people accordingly 
... makes me wonder if it's safe for visitors to come back to hawaii anytime soon 
, it's like, totally a natural wonder and all, but at the same time, I'm getting major anxiety thinking about those lava flows and sulfur dioxide gas 
But, on the other hand, I've seen some pretty sweet volcanic glass on YouTube 
, like, it's so cool to see how it forms and stuff! 
And, I guess, Pele's hair is kinda mesmerizing too... I mean, who wouldn't wanna see those tiny strands of glass flying around? 
The USGS should really step up their game and give us more reliable info so we know what's coming... or not coming? 
like, what's a fountaining episode tho? sounds kinda cool but also super intense 
. And poor people who live in Halemaสปumaสปu crater area โ I feel for you guys 
.
gotta make sure to stay indoors when they're expected to erupt again 
and if you live nearby, consider wearing a mask when going outside 
also, try to check that volcanic ash is washed off your car regularly 
don't wanna be stuck on the side of the road with a gooey windshield 
. I hope the government or whoever is in charge can do somethin' about it 'fore someone gets hurt. We need to make sure we're prepared for whatever happens next, 'specially with those rockfalls and stuff... my cousin's place is near Halemaสปumaสปu, so he's gotta be careful too 
. Guess this means we'll be stuck indoors more often than not till it calms down 
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i live near cali and i've never seen anything like this in hawaii... pele's hair sounds super sketchy lol how do they even predict that? 
gotta give it up to the USGS for keeping us informed tho 
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. And then there's these little glass things called Pele's hair that can travel really far... no thanks 
it's like our politicians are running out of time, you know? 
We need to take a step back and assess what's going on here, just like we would in a crisis situation.
it's like, they're literally predicting another fountaining episode in nov? what if we get hit with vog again? 
i'm low-key freaking out thinking about all the people who have to deal with this on a daily basis... but at the same time, it's kinda fascinating seeing these scientists work their magic to predict and warn us about the volcano's behavior 