Kīlauea Volcano Erupts
Release Date:
December 21, 2020
Shortly after 9:30 p.m. HST on Sunday, December 20, an eruption occurred within Kīlauea’s summit caldera. This is an evolving situation. To get up-to-date information, please check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website. For press inquiries, please email volcanomedia@usgs.gov.
[update: 12/21/2020; 10:14am HST]
2020 Ends with a Bang
This animation shows lava erupting from Kīlauea Volcano on Dec 20, 2020.
At about 9:30 p.m. HST on Sunday evening, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected a glow within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Shortly after, it was confirmed that an eruption had begun within Kīlauea’s summit caldera in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
9 & 10 News
December 21, 2020
People living in parts of Hawaii are being asked stay inside after the Kilauea volcano erupted late Sunday night following a series of earthquakes.
In video and photo footage, you can see the lava erupting and cascading into the deepest part of this crater, which was filled with water until the eruption.
Kilauea is on the big island inside Volcanoes National Park.
The Hawaii Civil Defense Agency says winds will carry any embedded ash toward the southwest with fallout expected in some areas.
The last time Kilauea erupted was back in 2018. The eruption destroyed more than 700 homes and forced evacuations.
A volcano in Kilauea erupts after an earthquake in one of the smallest islands of Hawaii
and last updated 2020-12-21 10:08:39-05
Hawaii, HI. - Officials in Hawaii are asking residents to stay inside, after the Kilauea volcano erupted following a series of earthquakes Sunday night.
According to the U.S Geological Survey, the eruption occurred after a 4.4 magnitude earthquake about 9:30 p.m. local time.
Lava is erupting from a fissure in the northwest wall of the crater and cascading into the deepest part of the crater, which had been occupied by a water lake (now replaced with a growing lava lake).
KLKN-TV
The volcano erupted following a series of earthquakes Sunday night
December 21, 2020 5:25 am
KILAUEA, Hi. (KLKN)- Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted Sunday night following a series of earthquakes.
Residents in Hawaii have been asked to stay inside by officials after the volcano erupted in the Halemaumau crater.
The Hawaii Civil Defense Agency said winds will carry ash from the explosion toward the Southwest, with fallout to be expected in certain areas.
According to the US Geological Survey, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit late Sunday night and at least seven other smaller earthquakes followed.
This isn’t the first time Kilauea has lost its cool though. In May 2018 it erupted, destroying over 700 homes and forcing residents to evacuate.