One of world's most active volcanoes erupts in Hawaii
First images of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupting
- Published
One of the most active volcanoes in the world began erupting on Monday in Hawaii.
It's happening in an area that last erupted a half-century ago, according to the US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS).
Lava can be seen spewing from the Kilauea volcano. The area it's coming out of is around 0.6 miles (1 km) long.
The eruption is taking place in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The USGS says this is a remote location, so there's no immediate danger to humans or buildings.
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Why is Hawaii so volcanic?
Volcanoes have formed the long chain of islands because of the Hawaiian hot spot, made of super-heated material deep in the earth.
Heat from this material rises, eventually melting rock into magma. The magma then continues to rise. When some of it pushes its way to the surface, a volcanic eruption takes place.
Kilauea and Mauna Loa are the most active.
Research over the past few decades shows that Kilauea has its own magma-plumbing system, extending to the surface from around 3 miles (60 km) deep in the earth.
According to the USGS, Kilauea is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess.
Hawaiian chants and oral traditions from hundreds of years ago tell of its eruptions.
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