Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts, Sending Plume of Ash 30,000ft into Air
After over a week of threatening to blow, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has finally erupted, sending a plume of ash 30,000ft into the air.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the eruption happened at 4:15am (local time), producing a volcanic cloud that reached as high as the cruising altitude for a jumbo jet.
The volcano is still spewing ash into the sky, with some emissions still reaching 12,000ft.
“At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent,” the USGS said in a statement.
The eruption comes just one day after authorities issued an aviation red alert, warning pilots to steer clear of the erupting shield crater which was already shooting ash and fiery projectiles into the air.
Prior to eruption, Kilauea had opened more than two dozen fissures miles to the east of the volcano, spilling lava into neighborhoods and forcing people from their homes. Over 1,500 people have been evacuated and dozens of homes and buildings destroyed since volcanic activity at the Halemaumau crater was first observed last week.