Hawaii has been put on high level alert for Kilauea eruption. The fissure eruption began on Feb 25, 2011. Kilauea has been in constant eruption for 28 years.

But geologist Janet Babb of the U.S. Geological Survey said this weekend’s activity indicates “new episodes in eruptions and further unknowns.” Again we ask the question, is Hawaii on the verge of major geological change in concert with the rest of the planet.  

The geologists with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory have released a first look at the new fissure eruption that just started today between Pu`u `O`o and Napau Crater.

 

The fissure segment in the tephra in the foreground opened seconds earlier, and only about 10 minutes after the eruption as a whole started. The cracks through the tephra are in the process of opening, though this can’t be picked out at this distance.

 The second part of the video was shot from the ground in front of the propagating fissure, showing low spattering that started moments earlier. Thick white steam from the crack in the foreground indicates that lava is about to reach the surface, and is seen doing so seconds later.

 

Lastly, we see an image of spattering near the front of the propagating fissure.

Read More: Big Island News 

Photo Credit:  Islomanic Via Flickr