HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii (AP) — Lava began bubbling Monday through the crust of one of the world’s most active volcanoes — Kilauea, on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The eruption was confined to the volcano’s summit caldera, in a remote, closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported. Increased earthquake activity began at about 2 a.m. local time and within about half an hour webcam images began to show lava emerging through fissures in the caldera or spurting in fountains.

The most immediate threat was from volcanic smog that could reach homes downwind, the observatory said. Such “vog” contains sulfur dioxide and can worsen symptoms for people who have conditions like asthma, other respiratory issues or cardiovascular disease.

The area where the eruption is occurring has been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards that include crater wall instability, ground cracking and rockfalls.

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WATCH LIVE: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano spews glowing lava as eruption begins https://t.co/MJXEgk7kch

— PBS News (@NewsHour) December 23, 2024

In this photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, an eruption takes place on the summit of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (D. Downs/U.S. Geological Survey via AP) 
In this aerial photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, an eruption takes place on the summit of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP) 
In this photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, an eruption takes place on the summit of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (P. Dotray/U.S. Geological Survey via AP) 

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano began erupting on Monday, with glowing lava flows bursting within one of its craters. pic.twitter.com/pNXyKm3S8a

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 24, 2024

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, started erupting early Monday morning. https://t.co/CtZS4UaLqA pic.twitter.com/GDXTCK7Stt

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 23, 2024

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted on Hawaii’s Big Island, leaving stunning arrays of bright orange lava. pic.twitter.com/IitVAkuSlt

— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 24, 2024

Kilauea on Dec. 23, 2024 | Hawaii volcano spews 260-foot lava fountains in dramatic eruption pic.twitter.com/VWWEUHp5TN

— Domenico (@AvatarDomy) December 24, 2024