Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted once again on Tuesday, continuing into Wednesday. This marks the volcano’s 32nd eruption since December. Stunning footage captured by the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows glowing lava streams illuminating the night sky over the Island of Hawaii.

Lava first emerged from the north vent of Halemaʻumaʻu crater shortly after midnight. By mid-morning, fountains were erupting from the south vent and a third opening in between.

Thankfully, the lava remained contained within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, causing no immediate threat to nearby towns.

The USGS estimated that the eruption produced an average of 6,750 cubic feet of lava per second, which is nearly enough to fill five Olympic-sized swimming pools every minute. By the end of the eruption, lava flows had covered 40–50% of the crater floor. Officials warned that lava may continue to move slowly for several days as it cools.

The eruption released around 55,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas that forms volcanic smog, or “vog”, when it enters the atmosphere.

The Hawaii State Department of Health cautioned that:

“Sulfur dioxide emissions and the resulting vog can irritate eyes and respiratory systems, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma and other chronic lung issues.”

The eruption also produced glassy volcanic fragments, posing additional local hazards.

Kilauea, located on Hawaii Island, is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The island is roughly 200 miles south of Honolulu, the state’s largest city on the island of Oahu.

The eruption is a reminder of Hawaii’s active volcanic landscape, drawing attention to both the natural beauty and the potential dangers of the region.