Hawaii volcano shoots lava hundreds of feet into the air
The activity started around 4:15 p.m. local time and lasted for several hours, according to a status report from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Lava fountains from the mountain's north vent reached heights of more than 1,000 feet, before stopping around 9:45 p.m. local time, the observatory said. At the south vent, the lava fountains reached heights of more than 800 feet and stopped around 10:25 p.m., according to the observatory. Lava flows remained within Kilauea's summit caldera, and did not affect any residential areas, the observatory said.
The volcano also released an eruptive plume that reached at least 5,000 feet, the observatory said. That plume included ash, volcanic rock and volcanic glass shards known as Pele's hair. The observatory warned that these volcanic fragments can be a hazard to people, especially when carried by wind, and said that residents and visitors in the area should exercise caution.
Kilauea is one of six active volcanoes in Hawaii and is located on the state's Big Island, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, about 200 miles from Honolulu. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has been emitting lava fountains frequently since December 2024. The episodes have ranged from hours to days. Tourists have flocked to see the spectacle. The USGS also offers multiple YouTube livestreams of the volcanic activity.
Hawaii is also home to the largest active volcano in the world, Mauna Loa. The volcano is also located in the national park and last erupted in 2022.
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Hamilton Spectator
6 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Tsunami warnings fading after one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded. Here's what to know
HONOLULU (AP) — One of this century's most powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Russia and generated tsunami warnings and advisories for a broad section of the Pacific, including Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast and as far south as New Zealand. Now warnings are being downgraded in most areas, though advisories remain in place as more aftershocks are possible. The quake registered a magnitude of 8.8 and was centered off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck early Wednesday local time, which was still Tuesday in the U.S. Here's what to know: What a tsunami is Tsunamis are waves triggered by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions and submarine landslides. After an underwater earthquake, the seafloor rises and drops, which lifts water up and down. The energy from this transfers to waves. Many people think of tsunamis as one wave. But they are typically multiple waves that rush ashore like a fast-rising tide. 'Tsunamis cross the ocean at hundreds of miles an hour — as fast as a jet airplane — in deep water,' said Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska. 'But when they get close to the shore, they slow down and start to pile up.' It could take minutes for waves to hit land next to the site of a major quake. It could take hours for tsunamis to cross the Pacific Ocean. The speed of tsunami waves also depends on ocean depth. They travel faster over deep water and slow down in shallow water. People were urged to stay away from coastlines until any wave surges passed in places as far away as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. Some tsunamis are small and don't cause damage. Others can cause massive destruction. In 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Indonesia caused waves that leveled remote villages, ports and tourist resorts along the Indian Ocean across Southeast and South Asia. Some 230,000 people died. A 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami ravaged parts of Japan's northeastern coast on March 11, 2011, killing about 20,000 people and triggering a nuclear meltdown . The power of this quake and its effects The 8.8-magnitude quake was among the four strongest earthquakes this century, according to the USGS. It was also the sixth-biggest quake ever recorded, said Simon Boxall, a principal teaching fellow at the University of Southampton's Physical Oceanography Research Center. The regional branch of Russia's Emergency Ministry on Kamchatka warned that scientists expect aftershocks at magnitudes of up to 7.5. The earthquake occurred along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the ring of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where more than 80% of the world's largest quakes occur. Several tectonic plates meet there. The ring gets its name from the volcanoes that surround it. While not all earthquakes lead to tsunamis, this one generated a series of them spreading outward from the epicenter off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. 'It's a bit like throwing a very, very large rock into the sea and then watching the waves propagate away from that rock, that splash,'' Boxall said. 'And so that's what's happened in this case. And that's why this particular one has generated a tsunami. It's not huge. It's not one that's going to cause mass devastation. But it will cause coastal flooding and it will cause damage, and it does put lives at risk if people don't move to high ground.'' The effects of this earthquake so far A tsunami height of 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) was recorded in Kamchatka, while tsunami waves about 2 to 5 feet high reached San Francisco early Wednesday, officials said. Other areas have seen smaller waves. The International Atomic Energy Agency said initial reports showed there had been no safety impact on nuclear power plants along Japan's Pacific coast. Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the quake's epicenter, and officials declared a state of emergency in several areas. Several people were injured, but none gravely, and no major damage has been reported. Additional aftershocks are possible, putting the entire Pacific Rim on tsunami watch. A tsunami warning remained in effect for parts of the northern California coast. Much of the Pacific coast of North America, spanning from British Columbia in Canada to down the U.S. West Coast and into Mexico was under a tsunami advisory. How tsunami warnings are issued In Hawaii, emergency authorities blast alerts to people's cellphones, on TV and radio and sound a network of sirens. In Alaska, some communities have sirens, and information is available on weather radio or public radio broadcasts . In the U.S., the National Weather Service has different levels of alerts : — A warning means a tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Evacuation is recommended and people should move to high ground or inland. — An advisory means a tsunami with potential for strong currents or dangerous waves is expected or occurring and people should stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways. — A watch means that a tsunami is possible and to be prepared. ___ Kirka reported from London. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Sirens blare, traffic gridlocks as Hawaii braces for tsunami threat
HONOLULU ‒ The Hawaiian Islands were sent into chaos on the afternoon of July 29 as people braced for a tsunami warning across the state. Sirens blared every hour, urging people to evacuate the coastline as quickly as possible before the anticipated first wave in the evening. The warning was triggered following an 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake also triggered various alerts across U.S. West Coast, Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, but was expected to hit Hawaii the hardest. The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management called for the evacuation of some coastal areas. "A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii," the agency said in a bulletin. "Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property." Shortly after the initial sirens went off at around 3 p.m., the streets of Honolulu – including the tourist hub Waikiki – were congested as people quickly tried to move to higher ground and away from coastal evacuation zones. Waikiki traffic quickly became a gridlock of cars trying to leave the beachside neighborhood, while some residents reported long lines at gas stations. Across the state, businesses and establishments like the Hawaiian Humane Society, immediately closed. Hotels near the coast started vertical evacuations to floors four and up, according to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau at 7 p.m. Oahu resident Megan Lee said she hit more traffic than usual on her commute home from work. 'It's nice to see everyone taking it seriously,' Lee told USA TODAY. 'It's always scary to get an alert like that.' The alerts invoked memories of the 2018 false missile alert, when residents woke up to an emergency alert notification that a ballistic missile was headed their way. Residents across the islands scrambled to find shelter before learning it was sent as an error. Lee, who was on Oahu during the false missile alert, said she feels desensitized. 'It makes me not take the sirens as seriously, unfortunately,' she said. 'We get a lot of alarms in Hawaii, and you see people going surfing because there's a tsunami warning.' Hawaii residents are used to the sounds of sirens, given that they're tested on the first business day of each month. Most beachgoers and surfers were fast to flee the beach after the sirens, although not all. A live camera feed hosted by the website showed surfers still in the ocean off Waikiki Beach at 5 p.m. local time, a little more than an hour before the first tsunami was forecast to hit. Two skimboarders could also be seen on the beach, which was otherwise largely deserted. With minutes to the projected first wave, the waters were empty and boats moved further out to sea from harbors and marinas. For those living more inland, like Honolulu resident Julie Shimer, concerns were more muted. "For myself, I'm not worried," Shimer told USA TODAY. "I think it's great (the state) is being more cautious,' she added. 'It's always better being more prepared just in case." Travelers were some of those left in uncertainty, with several flights canceled or delayed in Honolulu, according to Civil Beat Honolulu. Flights headed to Hawaii were diverted back while Kahului Airport and Hilo International Airport closed. Airlines servicing the islands, like Hawaiian Airlines, issued travel waivers for July 29 to 30. In a statement sent on Tuesday afternoon, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, 'Residents and visitors are urged to monitor local media for updates and stay away from the coastline. For those flying in or out of Hawaii today please check with your airline for the status of your flight." 'Hoping it's not going to be a big deal' Chris Anderson said he isn't taking any chances. A longtime artist from Lahaina, Hawaii, Anderson, along with his wife Melanie, quickly began stuffing duffel bags after receiving alerts, hearing sirens, and seeing police going door-to-door inside their oceanside condo complex, urging residents to pack up and leave. The couple made sure they had enough baby formula and diapers for their newest arrival, four-month-old son David Cameron, nicknamed 'D.C.,' for short, and enough food for their two cats. 'They said a wave is going to hit in about an hour and a half,' Anderson told USA TODAY by phone about the police warning. 'I'm hoping it's not going to be a big deal.' Anderson said they are fleeing to higher ground at a friend's house in the Kaanapali Hillside about an hour's drive away. 'I'm just trying to remain calm. There's no point in freaking out, yet,' Anderson said. 'I have to be strong for my wife and our son. It's better to be the level head of the family.' Anderson hopes not to lose another home or business due to Mother Nature. He lost both during the Hawaii wildfires that left more than 100 dead and destroyed more 2,000 structures two years ago. He's also less than two weeks away from reopening a bigger space for Lahania Printsellers, one of the town's oldest and most recognizable art galleries that's 'literally a two-minute walk from the ocean.' After 15 years working at the gallery, Anderson took ownership after the previous owner, Alan Walker, passed away last July. 'My entire savings went into getting the new gallery open,' Anderson said. 'Things are finally getting back to normal.' Now, Anderson hopes his future won't get washed away. 'Fingers crossed,' he said.
UPI
9 hours ago
- UPI
Strong quake strikes near Russia; tsunami alerts for Japan, U.S.
A television screen shows a news report from the Japanese Meteorological Agency following a 8.8 magnitude quake that struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula, in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday. Photo by Franck Robichon/EPA July 29 (UPI) -- A massive magnitude-8.7 earthquake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula Wednesday morning, prompting the Japanese government to issue tsunami warnings and evacuations along its northeastern coast, while warnings have been issued for much of the U.S. West Coast. The earthquake struck at about 8:25 a.m., Japanese time, off the Kamchatka Peninsula. The Japan Meteorological Agency rated it a 8.7-magnitude temblor while the U.S. Geological Survey said it was an 8.8-magnitude strike. The U.S. survey said it struck about 74 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk on the Kamchatka Peninsula at a depth of 12.8 miles. If confirmed as an 8.8 magnitude strike, it would be among the 10 largest earthquakes ever recorded and the largest since 2011, when a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan, resulting in a tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people and destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. JAPAN The Japan Meteorological Agency is warning of tsunamis as high as 3 meters, or nearly 9 feet, from northeastern Hokkaido southward to Wakayama Prefecture. Tsunami warnings order the immediate evacuation from coastal regions and riverside areas to safer, higher ground. Tsunami advisories have been issued for the rest of the southeastern coast of the country. Japan Safe Travel, a division of the Asian nation's tourism organization, is warning that tsunamis are expected to strike the country between 1 and 3 meters starting at about 10 a.m. local time until at least 1:30 p.m. According to Japan's fire and disaster management agency, evacuation orders have been issued for 112 cities and towns, affecting more than 1.9 million people. TEPCO, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, said in a statement that all workers at the Fukushima nuclear plant, which is under decommission, have been evacuated. The Japanese government said it has established a prime minister's liaison office to respond to the earthquake and tsunami. United States A tsunami warning has also been issued for Hawaii, Alaska's Samalga Pass, and California's west coast from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon-California border while advisories have been issued for much of the U.S. and Canadian West Coast. According to the National Weather Service, the tsunami could cause damage all along the coastlines of all Hawaiian islands and "urgent actions should be taken to protect lives and property." "A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii," the NWS said in a statement. "Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property." Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has issued an emergency proclamation activating the U.S. National Guard to assist with disaster relief and for the state's emergency services to take necessary safety actions. In a press conference, Green said they expect "significant damage" along the coastlines, and that they "we pray that we won't lose any of our loved ones." "God willing these waves will not hurt us, but you have to assume -- assume -- they will be life threatening," he said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is forecasting waves of 10 feet above tide level are possible to hit the northern Hawaii islands. The Hawaii Department of Transport said the Coast Guard has ordered all vessels to follow their procedures to leave port for all islands. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said he has been briefed on the situation, while urging residents to stay alert and follow local emergency guidance. Officials have also closed all beaches, harbors and piers in California's Huntington Beach, though no evacuations orders have yet been given. For Samalga Pass, it said that a tsunami with "significant inundation is possible or is already occurring." "STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!" U.S. President Donald Trump said in a statement to his Truth Social platform. RUSSIA Russia's emergencies ministry said in a statement that tsunami waves have already hit its far east coast, flooding the port town of Severo-Kurilsk and the Alaid fish processing plant. "Residents have been evacuated," it said. Valery Limarenk, governor of Sakhalin oblast, also confirmed on Telegram that the tsunami had struck, saying "residents of the settlement remain safe on higher ground until the threat of additional waves is fully lifted." In Kamchatka, off where the quake struck, responders are inspecting buildings. It said the facade of one kindergarten that was under renovation collapsed. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has also warned of waves of up to 10 feet hitting parts of Russia and Ecuador. This is a developing story.
