KILAUEA, Hawaii (KHON2) — The USGS said the eruption at Kilauea, which started around 2:30 a.m., has stabilized and there are no immediate threats.
Advisory levels were raised to warning initially but the USGS lowered it to watch after stabilization.
“The primary hazard of concern at this time is high levels of volcanic gas which can have far-reaching effects down-wind (generally southwest) of the summit. The plume of volcanic gas and fine volcanic particles is reaching elevations of 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level (2,000-4,000 feet above ground level) and winds are transporting it to the southwest, within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park,” USGS said in a news release.
The main hazards are within the closed areas of the park, according to USGSʻ Ken Hon.
Hon warned that vog could be pretty intense over the first few days downwind from the volcano, including Pahala and Naʻalehu.