A major volcano on Hawaii’s largest island roared to life on Tuesday morning, sending ‘football-sized’ debris into the air.
The Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, part of the Kilauea Caldera, started erupting at 9:17am with a plume of lava rising to 250,000 feet, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.
Fallout the size of footballs has since been reported at the lookouts at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the US Geological Survey reports, noting that the debris could create hazardous ground conditions.
The park is now closed to the public, and visitors are urged to seek shelter indoors.
Meanwhile, those living in communities to the northwest are under an ashfall warning until 5pm, with officials warning residents to take necessary precautions for elevated tephra fallout and volcanic gases.
‘Seal windows and doors. Protect electronics and cover air intakes and open water sources. Avoid driving. Remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. Use extreme caution clearing rooftops of ash,’ the National Weather Service advised.
It also noted that potential disruption of utility services is possible.
The eruption comes just days after officials announced that a 33-year-old man died after entering a dangerous and off-limits area at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The Halemaʻumaʻu Crater within the Kilauea Caldera started erupting at 9.17am, with a plume of lava rising to 250,000 feet
Those living in communities to the northwest are under an ashfall warning until 5pm, with officials warning residents to take necessary precautions for elevated tephra fallout and volcanic gasses
Fallout the size of footballs have since been reported at the lookouts at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The man, identified as a Hawaii resident, hiked into an area on the east side of Kīlauea caldera on February 26, officials said.
‘Kīlauea caldera contains hazardous terrain, including unstable cliff edges and volcanic features. Visitors are reminded to remain in designated open areas and comply with all closures,’ the park service said in a statement.
After the man entered, search and rescue teams conducted operations overnight to try to locate him. The park service said the volcano was not erupting at any point during this incident.
On February 27, he was found amid steep terrain and was airlifted to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, about 22 miles away from the Kīlauea Crater. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Kīlauea volcano last erupted at 11.38pm Hawaii Standard Time on February 15, 2026. The volcano has been erupting on and off since December 23, 2024.
