Lava fountains surged from the Kilauea volcano crater in Hawaii.

Geologists from the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory observed increased lava activity at the western rim of Halema'uma'u crater on Monday, May 5.

The team reported witnessing several cycles of lava filling and draining within the north vent of Kilauea's ongoing summit eruption. Dome fountains in the vent's lava pond shot up to approximately 20ft (6 metres).

Stunning footage captures the dramatic blast, with molten rock spewing from the crater in fiery bursts.

This eruption, which began on December 23 of the previous year, follows a pattern of brief, explosive episodes—each lasting around 13 hours, separated by pauses ranging from one day to nearly two weeks.

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.