Kilauea erupts back into action
HAWAII’S Kilauea volcano has erupted from its summit, shooting a dusty plume of ash about 9km into the sky.
Officials on Hawaii’s Big Island handed out free masks to protect people from breathing volcanic ash, while others were ordered to take shelter.
About half a centimetre of ash was expected to fall in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and in nearby communities.
“Not your average wake-up call at the Kilauea Volcano summit,” the US Geological Survey said of the 4.17am (local time) blast that lasted a few minutes.
The organisation said resi- dents living along the path of the ash plume should take shelter, and maintained a code red aviation alert signalled on Tuesday, meaning no air traffic was permitted in the area.
Geophysicist Mike Poland warned “ballistic blocks” the size of microwave ovens had shot from the volcano.
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and one of five on Hawaii’s Big Island.
It started erupting on May 3, prompting about 2000 people to flee from their homes.
Yesterday’s explosion came after two weeks of volcanic activity.