HONOLULU (AP) 鈥� Scientists were bracing for high lava fountains Tuesday during the latest episode of an ongoing eruption of Hawaii's .
have reached heights of 1,000 feet (305 meters) during eruptive episodes in recent weeks, drawing visitors to marvel at the fiery glow at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The 17th episode began Monday night, producing 鈥渓ow spatter fountains鈥� 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters) high, according to an update from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
鈥淗igh lava fountains are likely to follow the current low fountaining and lava flows,鈥� the observatory said.
More than 1,200 viewers were watching a of the lava Tuesday morning, which showed spewing bright-red molten rock.
The lava has remained inside the volcano鈥檚 summit caldera and within the park, and no residential areas have been threatened.
Kilauea, located on the southeastern part of the Big Island, is one of the world鈥檚 most active volcanoes.
Kilauea鈥檚 latest eruption , and has been pausing and resuming since.
The Associated Press
