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Watch: Hawaii's Mt. Kilauea Has a Major Eruption

Watch: Hawaii's Mt. Kilauea Has a Major Eruption
Kathleen Joyce
Hawaii is made up entirely of a chain of volcanic islands, but by far the region's most famous volcano is Mt. Kilauea. The most active volcano in Hawaii and one of the most active in the world, Kilauea is revered as the home of fire goddess Pele in indigenous Hawai'ian culture and is considered a sacred site.

The fiery volcano flared up in a major eruption on June 7th, spewing lava after a three-month pause. CBS Evening News shared footage of the spectacular, entrancing eruption.


Now that's a lightshow to end all others! Kilauea started the year off with a bang after an eruption began on January 5th which continued until March 7th, but since then the volcano had settled down- until last week. Excatly three months to the date since the last eruption concluded, Kilauea rumbled back to life at the satisfying time of 4:44 am last Wednesday, sending lava soaring up hundreds of feet from the mouth of Halema'uma'u crater. The eruption is still ongoing, flooding the surrounding area with lava flows.

While a major eruption in 2018 destroyed hundreds of homes, officials don't believe that this recent eruption will pose any threat to nearby communities. Every time Kilauea erupts, throngs of visitors flock to the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park to witness the unforgettable display, and already, guides are going up on the best places to witness the most recent eruption.

But if you're going to see Kilauea's current activity, remember to not only be safe, but be respectful. Just as Kilauea is considered the home of the beloved deity Pele, its eruptions are revered as an embodiment of the goddess itself. In the past, tourists at Kilauea have been critiqued for littering and even performing desecrating acts, and some have even put their lives at risk by wandering into dangerous, out-of-bounds areas.

Should you witness Kilauea's latest eruption, please approach the volcano with respect; not only for its dangerous, overwhelming power, but for its significance as a cultural and religious event. If you do, though, you'll be a lucky witness to something incredibly extraordinary.
Summary
Major eruption at Mt. Kilauea, Hawaii's most active volcano and sacred site. Last erupted in January-March; current activity ongoing since June 7th. Eruption from Halema'uma'u crater, no immediate threat to nearby communities, but tourist visits are increasing. Previous visitors criticized for
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ID: bea8f6e0-821b-4ba4-8d51-06d8dfbfb0c0

Category ID: article

Created: 2023/06/17 20:34

Updated: 2025/12/09 02:50

Last Read: 2023/06/17 20:34