The Kilauea volcano has erupted at its summit, spewing thick plumes and creating fire fountains up to 100 feet (about 30 meters) tall and flooding the Halemaumau Crater floor, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said on Thursday.

The eruption began around 3:20 PM Wednesday (0120GMT Thursday), according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Ken Hon, who told local news channel Hawaii News Now that lava is limited within the crater.

Hon said the eruption Wednesday had a “very rapid onset.”

He said there are no threats to any buildings or nearby communities as the eruption is within Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.

The volcano's alert level was raised to "red" after the eruption, indicating "possible dangerous activity on the ground and in the air."

Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, has been erupting since 1983.