Kilauea update: Explosion sends massive plume of ash into the sky

May 9, 2018 From the USGS: "Ash column rises from the Overlook crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. HVO's interpretation is that the explosion was triggered by a rockfall from the steep walls of Overlook crater. The photograph was taken at 8:29 a.m. HST from the Jaggar Museum overlook. The explosion was short-lived. Geologists examining the ash deposits on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater found fresh lava fragments hurled from the lava lake. This explosion was not caused by the interaction of the lava lake with the water table. When the ash cleared from the crater about an hour after the explosion, geologists were able to observe the lava lake surface, which is still above the water table." less May 9, 2018 From the USGS: "Ash column rises from the Overlook crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. HVO's interpretation is that the explosion was triggered by a rockfall from the steep walls of Overlook ... more Photo: U.S. Geological Survey Photo: U.S. Geological Survey Image 1 of / 98 Caption Close Kilauea update: Explosion sends massive plume of ash into the sky 1 / 98 Back to Gallery

A dark foreboding cloud of ash towered above a crater in the latest photo from the U.S. Geological Survey following the volcanic activity unfolding on Hawaii's Kilauea.

The ash cloud whirled into the air on Wednesday morning when rockfall from the crater's steep walls fell into a lake of bubbling hot lava, which triggered a short-lived explosion.

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said they were watching this lava lake closely as there was concern it was lowering. If it drops to the level of the water column, "an influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions."

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"Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu and the Kīlauea summit," HVO warned.

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When Wednesday's ash cloud cleared, scientists observed that the lava lake was still above the water table.