What has been driving Hawaii's lava fountains?

While hotspot-driven volcanism is typically characterized by slow-moving lava flows, certain locations like Hawaii, Iceland, and Mount Etna experience dramatic lava fountains reaching hundreds of meters into the air. The mechanisms powering these intense eruptions have long remained a subject of scientific debate. Recent research published in Science by the US Geological Survey provides new insights based on extensive data collected during recent eruptions at the Kilauea volcano. Despite being Hawaii's most active volcano, Kilauea has experienced only three fountaining episodes since 1823. Researchers utilized a sophisticated network of 35 monitoring stations, including seismic, infrasound, and thermal imaging equipment, to document these events. By comparing this high-quality data against existing theoretical models, scientists are working to better understand the internal dynamics of these volcanic fountains and the geological structures that facilitate such powerful displays of molten rock.