Pele’s Hair Observed Near Kīlauea, NWS Reports

Volcanic glass, also known as Pele’s Hair, was observed near Kīlauea Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a new eruption began at Kīlauea’s summit at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2021. Lava activity is currently confined within Halema’uma’u crater.

USGS stated in a tweet that a line of low lava fountains is erupting from the crater floor, tephra is falling downwind, and a new fissure opened up on the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

#Fissures of #lava and falling of #tephra!
A line of low lava fountains is erupting from the crater floor, tephra is falling downwind, and a new fissure opened up on the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. https://t.co/jDxUTFInn4 #KilaueaErupts pic.twitter.com/ONcGrmutua

— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) September 30, 2021

Gas emissions and seismic activity at the summit remain elevated. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s field crews, equipped with specialized safety gear, monitor the eruption from within the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park with NPS permission.

According to several pilots in the vicinity, Pele’s Hair was observed in the crater Wednesday evening. The volcanic glass will remain possible in the immediate area around the Halemaʻumaʻu crater during eruptions throughout the night.

NWS urges residents and visitors to minimize exposure to volcanic emissions. Those with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure.

For more information on the status of Kilauea Volcano, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html.

For health and safety recommendations, visit the Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard at https://vog.ivhhn.org.

The USGS website for submitting ash reports can be found at http://hawaiiash.science.