The Kilauea volcano eruption sent lava fountains soaring up to 1,000ft into the sky in Hawaii.

Authorities confirmed that the powerful new episode of the ongoing blast at the volcano's summit began early on Wednesday morning, July 9.

Hawai'i County Civil Defence issued an alert to residents at approximately 8:15 am, warning that tephra from the eruption was falling on Highway 11, between the 36 and 40-mile markers.

Drivers were advised to proceed with caution.

Volcanic ash, pumice, and Pele's hair were reported blowing to the south-southwest of the eruptive vent.

A 5am notice from the US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said that winds were moving from the north-northeast at approximately 15 miles per hour, pushing volcanic gas emissions and debris toward the south-southwest.

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.