Hawaii: Kilauea Volcano’s Explosive Eruption Sends Ash 30,000Ft into Sky

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has erupted again sending ash 30,000ft into the sky.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the explosive eruption took place at 04:15 local time.

Staff at the volcano observatory and the national park had previously been evacuated.

Since a new zone of Mount Kilauea began erupting almost two weeks ago, lava has wrecked dozens of homes and forced hundreds of people to be evacuated.

A red aviation code had already been issued – warning pilots to avoid the potentially damaging ash cloud.

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The USGS had previously warned that an explosive eruption at Kilauea was becoming more likely as the volcano’s lava lake was lowering.

This increases the risk of highly explosive steam-powered eruptions as the magma meets underground water.

Meanwhile, Hawaii’s emergency management agency advised people in the area affected by ash to stay in their homes if possible.

Kilauea is one of five active volcanoes on the island of Hawaii.

The volcano is one of the most active in the world and has been erupting continuously, though not explosively, for more than 30 years.

Kilauea’s last explosive eruption took place in 1924.

Even before May 17 explosive eruption, the ash plume from the volcano could be seen from the International Space Station (ISS).