HONOLULU (KHON2) — Since just before Christmas, Kīlauea has been putting on a stop-and-go volcanic show—and it’s more than just a spectacular display. According to a University of Hawaii at Hilo geologist, the pattern of eruptions offers insight into the volcano’s inner workings and future behavior.
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Kīlauea has erupted 21 times since December 2024, said Dr. Steven Lundblad, a geology professor at UH Hilo. “We’re seeing this cycle where pressure builds beneath the summit until the magma finds a way to the surface,” he explained. “Because the magma contains a lot of gas, it erupts in these dramatic fountains—some shooting up to 1,000 feet in the air.”
After that initial burst, a crust of lava often forms over the vent, capping it temporarily. But pressure builds again, and the pattern repeats—about once a week on average.
“It’s a bit like inflating a balloon,” Lundblad said. “As pressure builds, the ground surface deforms and rises. Once it hits a certain point, the volcano erupts, the pressure drops, and then the cycle starts all over again.”…