Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is erupting — again

One of the most active volcanoes in the world erupted again early Monday, with lava fountains stretching more than 200 feet and a plume of toxic gas soaring above Hawaii, officials said.

Kilauea’s eruption began around 2 a.m. and “may go for a while,” said Ken Hon, head scientist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

There were no immediate threats to infrastructure, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

In this aerial photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, an eruption takes place on the summit of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. U.S. Geological Survey / AP

Hon said "vog" — a potentially harmful mix of water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide — was expected in areas south and west of the volcano in the coming days in elevated levels. While the volcanic smog is anticipated to be severe, he encouraged residents to stay indoors.

Lava fountains with heights of 262 feet were seen at 4:30 a.m., the agency said, and “lava bombs” and other molten material were being ejected from the crater’s floor. As of 5:30 a.m., the agency estimated that 400 acres of the caldera floor was covered in lava.

The volcano, located on Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, has been erupting since 1983. Its most recent eruptions were in June and September, Hon said.

Dozens of homes were destroyed after an eruption in 2018 that forced thousands to flee.