Hawaii Kilauea Volcano Eruption Throws Ash 30,000 Feet

PAHOA, HI — An explosive eruption at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has sent a dusty plume of ash about 30,000 feet into the sky. Now, authorities are telling residents to shelter in place.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency posted on Facebook on Thursday afternoon that volcano researchers reported an "explosive eruption" at Kilauea's summit. It happened at the Overlook vent within the Halemaumau crater.

"The resulting ash plume will cover the surrounding area," the agency said. "The wind will carry the plume toward the southeast. You should shelter in place if you are in the path of the ash plume. Driving conditions may be dangerous so if you are driving pull off the road and wait until visibility improves."

Time lapse: Summit of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, sending plume of ash and smoke 30,000 feet high. https://t.co/EOMS4S7Rj4 pic.twitter.com/AOBYYO3qdK
— KION News 5 46 (@KION546) May 17, 2018

Photos of the area show National Guard members wearing gas masks and evacuating neighborhoods.

BREAKING: Hawaii National Guard is now evacuating their post near impacted neighborhood and moving due to high levels of sulfur dioxide. @FoxNews #KilaueaErupts pic.twitter.com/7pLTCKn5iQ
— Jeff Paul (@Jeff_Journalist) May 17, 2018

Mike Poland, a USGS geophysicist, told The Associated Press the eruption likely lasted just few minutes. Ash accumulations were minimal, with only trace amounts near the volcano and on the nearby town of Volcano, he said.

Due to elevated sulfur dioxide levels, Pahoa High and Intermediate School, Pahoa Elementary School, Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science, Volcano School of Arts and Science and Keonepoko Elementary School were closed under the recommendation of the County Civil Defense agency.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the Kilauea summit erupted around 4:15 a.m. Wind could carry the ash plume north toward Kau, Volcano, Mt. View, Kea'au and as far as Hilo.

Officials warned of the danger of ash fallout and advised neighbors to remain indoors.

"If this event occurs while you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed. Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities," the agency said. "If you are in your car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park."

Once the danger has passed, residents should check their homes — particularly the catchment system for any impact that may affect water quality.

The U.S. Geological Survey Volcanoes agency says the eruption will not produce a lahar, meaning a dangerous and destructive mudflow on Kilauea's slopes.

" We're still determining the cause of the explosions, but regardless, we were expecting more intense explosive eruptions at the summit," the agency said in a Facebook comment Thursday.

The eruption was something the agency had been expecting. Similar events could come in the future as groundwater meets hot rocks, the agency said.

Photos credit: USGS Volcanoes (Screen shot of the ash plume at the Kīlauea Volcano summit. The plume is the result of an early morning explosive eruption today (May 17). This view is from a Mauna Loa webcam.