Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano reactivated after over 2-month hiatus

By Melike Pala

HONOLULU, Hawaii (AA) – The Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, the island state in the western US, reactivated after over a two-month hiatus and has begun releasing lava, but at a safe distance from settlements, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

On Sunday, around 3.15 p.m. local time (0115 GMT Monday), an eruption occurred in Kilauea's summit crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

“The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is elevating Kilauea’s volcano alert level from watch to warning and its aviation color code from orange to red as this eruption and associated hazards are evaluated,” the USGS said in a statement.

The initial phases of eruptions are dynamic, it added.

Authorities confirmed that the volcanic activities were limited within the park.

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has been erupting from time to time since 1983.

An eruption occurred on June 7 and its activity ceased on June 21 in the summit crater of Kilauea Volcano.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar