Hawaii, USA - December 24, 2024 [Note: no sound] Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park – The eruption of Kīlauea within Halemaʻumaʻu crater has stabilized, with no immediate threats to infrastructure, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. As of 6:30 a.m. HST, the volcano's alert level has been lowered from WARNING to WATCH, and its aviation color code from RED to ORANGE. The eruption began at approximately 2:20 a.m. on December 24 and is currently confined to the summit caldera. Lava fountains up to 80 meters (262 feet) high were observed earlier, with molten material ejected onto the west caldera rim. Lava flows have covered an estimated 400 acres of the caldera floor. While the eruption is contained within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, volcanic gas, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), water vapor, and carbon dioxide (CO2), remains a primary concern. The gas plume, reaching elevations of 6,000-8,000 feet, is being carried southwest, affecting the park and nearby areas. The eruption poses risks from Pele’s hair, lava fragments, and rockfalls, all of which can travel downwind. Visitors and residents are urged to minimize exposure to these particles due to the potential for skin and eye irritation. The park’s caldera remains closed to the public, and the area surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater is highly unstable, with ground cracking and potential rockfalls. The eruption continues to be monitored closely.