The Kilauea volcano in the Hawaiian archipelago, one of the most active in the world, erupted yesterday Wednesday at 04:44 (local time, 17:44 Greek time), the US Geological Survey (USGS) announced.

Images from Kilauea show fissures in the heart of the volcano, with lava pouring out of its crater. Scientists characterize volcanic activity as “dynamic”.

The USGS points to the danger of sulfur dioxide being released into the atmosphere and creating volcanic smog, which is spreading as far as Kilauea. It can cause respiratory problems in humans and animals and damage crops. It also warns of “Pele’s hair” (ie the goddess of fire, lightning and volcanoes), referring to the fine strands of hardened lava that can cause skin and eye irritation.

Kilauea’s eruption came just months after neighboring Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano, erupted in late 2022 after a 38-year hiatus.

Kilauea is smaller, but much more active than Mauna Loa. It last erupted in January and volcanic activity continued until March. Eruptive activity was almost uninterrupted from 1983 to 2019.