There’s a lot of excitement up at the volcano lately, where suddenly ashes and gases are billowing dramatically from a newly formed vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kilauea.

From the National Park Service:

What began as a new gas vent (fumarole) in Halema`uma`u crater sometime between March 10 and 12, 2008, has progressed to be the first explosive eruption in Halema`uma`u Crater since 1924 and the first lava erupted from the crater since 1982.

The National Park Service website continues with this synopsis of events since the new vent appeared within Halema‘uma‘u crater on March 11, 2008:

At 2:58 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded a small explosion in Halema`uma`u crater, the first explosive event since 1924. Debris was scattered over a 75 acre area. A light dusting of ash fell in a community several miles away in the district of Ka`u.

On April 9, another small explosion occurred, depositing dense blocks and particles of fresh lava on the Halema`uma`u overlook area.

On April 16 at 3:57 a.m., another small explosion from the vent occurred producing a dusting of pale-red ash west of the crater.

The new explosion pit continues to vigorously vent gas and ash, with the plume alternating between brown (ash-rich) and white (ash-poor).

Visitors may view the new vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater and the plume from the overlook at Jaggar Museum. Other overlooks with views include: Steam Vents, Kilauea Overlook, Kilauea Iki Overlook, and Volcano House hotel.

We had a few days of poor air quality when our normal tradewinds died off, and the vog settled in over the island.

But this is not the norm, and mostly it’s just exciting to go up and see the volcano and wonder what will happen next. Will it erupt? Scientists up at the Hawai‘i Volcanoes Observatory tell us this is unexpected behavior and they are following it closely to see how the situation develops, too.

Following long-time local custom, we packed everybody into the car and went up to have a look the other day. It was so interesting to see the crater, which we are used to seeing doing nothing at all, looking so alive.

There’s a webcam, too, if you’d like to look for yourself.