A rising lava lake is seen within Halema'uma'u crater during the eruption of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, US, 5 January 2023, in this still image provided by the USGS surveillance camera;
Credit: United States Geological Survey/Handout via Reuters
(Reuters) - The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii began erupting on Thursday 5 January 2023, the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) volcanic activity notice said, after detecting a glow in the summit producing smog that is confined within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The volcano alert level was raised to "Red" after an evaluation of the eruption and associated hazards, the notice said.
USGS said the volcanic gas, which consists of sulphur dioxide and other gases, could produce a visible haze of volcanic smog, known as "vog", which has been observed in the downwind of Kilauea.
Vog has the potential to generate airborne health hazards for residents and visitors, causing breathing difficulties and also damaging agricultural crops.
Known to be the younger and more active neighbour of Mauna Loa, which erupted in November 2022 for the first time since 1984, the Kilauea volcano has been erupting since 2021.
However, Mauna Loa's eruption has had no impact and remains quiet, USGS said.
