Lava fountaining returned to Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater this morning for the 38th time since the current eruption began Dec. 23.

The U.S. Geological Survey said that episode 38 of the eruption began at 8:45 a.m. with lava fountains from the north vent reaching up to 100 feet high. “Fountain heights are increasing rapidly and are coming from both the left and right vents within the north cone,” a news release from the USGS’ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

As with the previous 37 episodes, all eruptive activity is confined to the crater within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. No changes have been detected in the East or Southwest Rift Zones.

Scientists warned that high levels of volcanic gas, known as vog, are a hazard of concern downwind of the eruption area.

”Strong winds ma

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