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In the weeks leading up to the eruption, scientists had been monitoring slight rumbles beneath Kilauea, with small earthquakes concentrated around the summit. A week ago, the USGS transitioned from weekly to daily updates due to the heightened anticipation of an eruption, as they noted that pressure within the magma chamber had intensified. The earthquake activity picked up notably around 1:30 AM today, and by 2 AM, the situation escalated quickly, prompting scientists to alert local authorities and partners about the imminent eruption.
According to scientists, a crack opened in the ground, allowing magma to rise to the surface. This led to an outpouring of lava, with fountains reaching heights exceeding 100 feet, and initial eruptions even sending lava as high as 250 to 300 feet.