HAWAII (WCBD) – One of the world’s most active volcanos, Hawaii’s Kilauea, erupted Monday, marking episode 16 of the eruption since late December. The United States Geological Survey said the eruption began at 10:24 a.m. Hawaiian time, roughly 12 hours after the start of the episode. Mas sive lava fountains were sent soaring as high as 700 feet into the air on the big island of Hawaii as it erupted, producing intense heat, glowing streams of molten rock, and plumes of volcanic gas known as vog, which is volcanic smog. Officials warned people near the volcano to exercise caution due to the eruption and ongoing lava flows. “Hawaiian lava flows generally advance slowly downslope, and during this eruption flows have been confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea's summit caldera,” the USGS said. Photo courtesy Grace Christoph Photo courtesy Grace Christoph The area near the eruption is closed, and it is being monitored closely. There is no immediate threat to the public. ...read more read less