Gas rose from the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii two days after the lava effusion had ceased.

Dramatic footage shows a plume of smoke billowing from the inactive vent at the summit on January 5.

The vent remained silent, with no audible sound, a stark contrast to the thunderous roar of lava fountaining heard in earlier days, which was described as resembling crashing waves.

Authorities said that while volcanic activity remains paused, the visible gas plume signals ongoing unrest at the summit.

Kilauea is the world's most active volcanic mass and is the central feature of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Its caldera is nearly three miles long and two miles wide, with an area of more than four square miles.