In pictures: Lava spews again from one of the world's most active volcanoes

One of the world's most active volcanoes has been spewing lava again.

After a period of high activity, fountains of hot molten rock were seen spurting from the Kilauea volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Lasting less than 24 hours, eruptions have since slowed and stopped.

It's the seventh time this has happened, since the volcano erupted just before Christmas.

Volcanoes erupt when hot molten rock called magma rises to the surface.

Runny magma erupts through openings or vents in the Earth's crust before flowing onto its surface as lava.

Hawaii is an area of high volcanic activity and there are several volcanoes that have formed along the long chain of islands.

A build up of gas under the surface of the Kilauea volcano resulted in lava bursting out from beneath the ground and shooting into the air - in this instance the lava fountains have reached around 30 to 40 metres high!

Rocks and tephra (volcanic debris) were seen falling as a result of the lava fountains, with geologists collecting them to study.

Although the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open to public, visitors are kept at a safe distance and certain areas are closed to keep people safe.

The location of the volcano means it's currently not a threat to any homes or businesses.

Since the 23 December eruption, activity around the volcano has been stop-start, lasting as little as 13 hours to as long as eight days.

Following the latest event, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said: "That was fast! Phase 7 of the current Kīlauea eruption stopped abruptly at 10:47am according to park staff and... scientists.

"This latest eruptive phase lasted a little over 16 hours."

Pauses between eruptions have lasted between 24 hours to 12 days.