Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupted again on December 23, 2024, with impressive lava fountains reaching heights of nearly 300 feet.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) had issued warnings the previous week about the potential for an eruption due to increased seismic activity.

USGS provides live webcam views of the Kilauea summit, although some areas are restricted due to safety concerns.

The area where the eruption is occurring has been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards, but visitors can safely observe the fountains from a designated overlook.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory officials noted that the eruptive activity is currently confined to Halemaumau crater and may vary in intensity over the coming days.

The eruption is producing volcanic smog, known as vog, which poses health risks, particularly downwind of the summit.

The USGS has downgraded Kilauea's alert level from 'Warning' to 'Watch,' while the aviation color code has been adjusted to 'orange' as the eruption stabilized.

As the eruption continues, breakouts of red lava are visible on the surface of the lava lake, which is actively circulating.

Increased earthquake activity was detected around 2 a.m. local time, followed by webcam images showing lava emerging through fissures in the caldera.

Scientists from the USGS reported that the renewed activity observed on the morning of December 23 is considered manageable.

Ken Hon, head scientist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, described the eruption as significant, marking the fifth eruption in Kilauea's summit area since December 2020.

Falling volcanic glass particles, such as Pele's hair, can cause irritation and pose additional hazards in the vicinity of the fissures.