Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano puts on dazzling show with lava fountains hundreds of feet high

The most recent eruption episode of Hawaii’s most active volcano has ended after sending fountains of lava hundreds of feet into the sky. The U.S. Geological Survey says lava fountain heights reached 700 feet during the Thursday episode. The molten rock was contained within the park and didn’t threaten residential areas. The volcano began its current eruption Dec. 23. The eruption has stopped and resumed more than a dozen times since. The shortest episode lasted 13 hours. The longest lasted eight days. Each time, the volcano has sent lava shooting high into the sky from caldera vents, creating a dramatic sight for park visitors.