00:00Hawaii's Kalauea volcano has produced 54 episodes of lava fountains since late 2024.
00:06Now, scientists are investigating what drives these repeated bursts of molten rock.
00:11The eruptions can send lava hundreds of meters into the air, creating a spectacular, but potentially hazardous display.
00:18A new study published in the journal Science examines clues gathered during the ongoing eruption.
00:23Researchers tracked ground movement, earthquake signals, low-frequency sounds, and gases released by the volcano.
00:31Before some fountains began, the summit crater floor swelled and tilted, suggesting that magma was gathering underground.
00:38Scientists also detected repeated bursts of seismic energy, pointing to changes in pressure and gas movement beneath the surface.
00:45One proposed explanation involves gases escaping from rising magma, helping push molten rock upward.
00:51Relatively low carbon dioxide emissions also challenge another theory involving expanding gas-rich foam.
00:58The findings offer important clues, but the exact process remains under investigation.
01:04These fountains are more than a natural spectacle.
01:06They can release volcanic gases, scatter hot rock fragments, and feed lava flows.
01:12Disclosure. This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
