<P> On May 17 , 2018 at 4 : 17 AM , the volcano explosively erupted at the summit in Halemaumau Crater , throwing ash 30,000 feet into the air . Summit explosions have caused the long - term closure of the Kīlauea section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , and vigorous eruptive activity is ongoing in lower Puna , where lava entered the ocean in three places , destroyed Hawaii 's largest freshwater lake , covered substantial portions of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens , completely inundated Vacationland Hawaii and all but three houses in the Kapoho Beach Lots . Lava also filled Kapoho Bay and extended new land nearly a mile into the sea . The total number of houses taken by lava since May 3 , 2018 was officially announced on June 7 as approximately 600 . On July 9 the official total had increased to 700 houses . </P>
<P> On May 17 , 2018 at 4 : 17 AM , the volcano explosively erupted at the summit in Halemaumau Crater , throwing ash 30,000 feet into the air . Summit explosions have caused the long - term closure of the Kīlauea section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , and vigorous eruptive activity is ongoing in lower Puna , where lava entered the ocean in three places , destroyed Hawaii 's largest freshwater lake , covered substantial portions of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens , completely inundated Vacationland Hawaii and all but three houses in the Kapoho Beach Lots . Lava also filled Kapoho Bay and extended new land nearly a mile into the sea . The total number of houses taken by lava since May 3 , 2018 was officially announced on June 7 as approximately 600 . On July 9 the official total had increased to 700 houses . </P>
when did the current eruption of kilauea begin
when did the current eruption of kilauea begin
May 3 , 2018
May 3 , 2018