Lava fountains reached 500ft as they spewed from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.

Authorities said Episode 20 of the ongoing eruption paused on Tuesday night, May 6, after 4 hours and 30 minutes of intense lava fountaining from vents in Halema'uma'u crater.

After 31 hours of low-level activity, sustained fountains began at 5:28 pm.

The blast started with a sudden shift in summit tilt from inflation to deflation and a sharp increase in tremor.

The US Geological Survey's (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that fountains from the north vent quickly rose over 500ft. Lava spread across the crater floor, including a flow that poured over the south vent.

Stunning footage captured the fiery blast, with molten rocks spouting from the crater.

In the first half hour, the eruption rate was approximately 7,000 cfs.

The south vent followed, sending fountains up to 65ft. Scientists noted that lava from Episode 20 covered less than half of the crater floor.

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.