A volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island has erupted and is spewing massive amounts of lava.

Kilauea volcano erupted shortly before 4.45am local time on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

A webcam livestream showed red hot spots across the crater with lava bubbling and smoke rising.

‘Webcam imagery shows fissures at the base of Halema’uma’u crater generating lava flows on the surface of the crater floor, stated the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

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‘The activity is confined to Halema’uma’u and the hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses.’

Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency stated that there is ‘no indication that populated areas are threatened’.

The eruption for the time being is ‘within a closed area’ of Volcanoes National Park, according to the USGS.

However, ‘very light ashfall’ could be carried to parts of Kau, Puna and South Kona through the evening, the state’s emergency services said.

#Kilauea is currently erupting from the #Halemaumau summit crater. HVO will be releasing an update soon. USGS livestream is showing the action. https://t.co/jAcOUDIHjq #Hawaii #lava #eruption pic.twitter.com/ouummDrAs8

Kilauea began releasing lava just hours before a volcano eruption watch was issued.

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