According to a news release shared by the USGS, a lava eruption has commenced within Kaluapele— the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano.

Hawaii’s Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanos, fired out partially molten “lava bombs” from its vents and lava fountains up to 262 feet.

Lava spewed from the Kilauea Volcano's summit caldera in Hawaii on December 23. Footage shows the molten rocks forming a fountain in the southwest part of Kaluapele caldera. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption began earlier that day and covered 650 acres of caldera floor.

A stunning aerial video, captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring flight at 2:30 p.m. HST on December 23, reveals powerful lava fountaining in the southwest part of Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera).