One of the world's most active volcanoes, Kilauea in Hawaii, has erupted again, less than a month after the last one ended, according to the United States Institute of Geophysics (USGS).
Lava fountains erupted from the top of this volcano on Thursday, according to the USGS, and filled much of its 120-hectare crater with molten rock.
On Friday morning, the intensity of this eruption "
diminished rapidly
", according to the institute.
"
The fountains lost vigor overnight and remain about five meters high this morning
," the USGS said in its latest report.
The eruption comes less than a month after Kilauea and its towering neighbour, Mauna Loa, so large it holds the title of largest volcano in the world, have returned to calm.
Mauna Loa, whose name means "
long mountain
" in Hawaiian, erupted in December for the first time in almost 40 years.
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Lava fountains
Spectacular, its fury had caused fountains of lava reaching 60 meters high and impressive flows of molten rock along its sides, without however endangering the dwellings of the island of Hawaii.
Also located on the largest island of this Pacific archipelago, Kilauea is much smaller, but much more active.
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It erupted almost continuously between 1983 and 2019, and is a popular attraction for tourists who fly over it in helicopters.
In 2018, its lava flows destroyed more than 700 homes.
The current eruption poses no danger to residents, according to the USGS.
However, the institute warns against the volcanic gases released, particularly sulfur dioxide, irritating to the eyes and the respiratory tract, which can affect inhabitants, crops and livestock.