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An earthquake sparked a Sunday eruption.

The Kilauea volcano, located on Hawaii’s Big Island, is currently under Red alert observation after erupting over the weekend. While it is currently unclear if any damage has been caused by the eruption, locals are being advised to remain indoors to avoid exposure to volcanic ash, a known eye and lung irritant.


Late Sunday night, approximately 9:30 PM local time, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory noted a distinct “glow” within the Halemaumau crater, located at the summit of Kilauea. At around 10:30, an earthquake began at Kilauea’s southern side, measured at magnitude 4.4. It was at this point the HVO activated the red alert, noting on emergency channels that an eruption was imminent and that large quantities of volcanic ash would be launched into the local atmosphere.

“Trade winds will push any embedded ash toward the Southwest. Fallout is likely in the Kau District in Wood Valley, Pahala, Naalehu and Ocean View. Stay indoors,” read a tweet from the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency.

No magma has been launched from the volcano, and no extensive damage has been reported from local communities, though the volcanic ash advisory is currently ongoing. Following the initial earthquake, at least seven other smaller ones were recorded nearby, with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 2.7.

The HVO is keeping an especially close eye on Kilauea’s activity; aside from the fact that it is the most active volcano in the world, when it erupted previously in 2018, over 700 residential homes were completely destroyed, forcing thousands to evacuate.