Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is shooting lava 700 feet into the air just months before the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory faces eviction.
The volcano’s latest eruption began just before 9:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, March 19, according to a notice posted by the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO).
Fountains of lava “reached heights up to 500-700 feet” in some places, they added.
Meanwhile, the Geology Survey office in Hilo is one of hundreds of government offices reportedly having its lease canceled by the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE), according to the Associated Press. The lease is expected to be canceled on Sept. 30, the news agency reported, as are the leases for dozens of other agencies across the United States.
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In a statement, a spokesperson for the USGS said the process of “streamlining government operations” was “ongoing,” according to The Guardian.
“We are actively working with General Services Administration to ensure that every facility and asset is utilized effectively, and where necessary, identifying alternative solutions that strengthen our mission,” they added.
The USGS did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Kilauea has been erupting since December 23, 2024, according to the USGS. This was the 14th episode since the eruption began.
usgs.gov
The HVO, which currently employs 30 people, “monitors earthquakes and the active volcanoes in Hawaii, assesses their hazards, issues warnings, and advances scientific understanding to reduce the impacts of volcanic eruptions,’ according to its website.
“Communicating the results of our work to the public, emergency managers, and the scientific community is an important aspect of the HVO mission,” the website reads.
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