The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island erupted on Sunday evening, according to an advisory from the U.S. Geological Survey, followed by an earthquake that struck at the volcano’s south flank.
Residents have been urged to remain indoors as steam clouded the sky and ash fell.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an earthquake of magnitude 4.4, its epicenter positioned beneath Kīlauea Volcano’s south flank, at 10:36 p.m. regional time, according to the advisory.
It was the most activity observed at the volcano because 2018, when a string of earthquakes and explosive eruptions at the summit more than various months forced evacuations. Hundreds of houses have been destroyed in lava flows.
Sunday’s eruption was reported at the Halemaumau Crater of the Kilauea Volcano, the Hawaii county Civil Defense Agency stated on Twitter early on Monday. The agency urged residents to remain indoors.
The eruption began with several fissures opening on the walls of Halemaumau crater, USGS stated.
A image from the USGS showed Kilauea’s summit illuminated by the hot lava with a plume of steam and gas bursting out of the volcano.