One of the world’s most famous volcanoes has erupted violently, producing a rare phenomenon and prompting aviation authorities to raise the travel threat level.

During pauses between the high fountaining episodes of the ongoing Kilauea volcano summit eruption, which began on Dec. 23, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists — and astute watchers of the HVO livestream cameras — have periodically observed yellow to orange-colored flames emanating from the two vents inside of Halema‘uma‘u.

This image from webcam footage provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows lava fountains shooting up high in the latest episode of an ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (United States Geological Survey via AP)