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Hawaii volcano Kilauea has been fueling fears of catastrophe on the eastern side of the Big Island since it started spewing endless rivers of lava on May 3. The US Geological Survey (USGS) warned Kilauea could become "more explosive" and produce "ballistic projectiles" as steam build-ups let out. The USGS said: "At any time, the activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. "Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur. Impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau."

GETTY•TWITTER/Especigest Hawaii volcano eruption: The USGS warned of possible "ballistic projectiles" from Kilauea

Previous explosions from Halemaumau caused ballistic blocs the size of a car to be propelled into the sky and crash nearly half a mile away from Kilauea's crater.

Officials in Hawaii handed out thousands of masks to locals to protect them from the latest ash cloud Kilauea sputtered out. Hawaii Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Mango said "the event is far from over" after he announced more masks would be delivered to hand out should a new eruption from Kilauea unleash another ash cloud into the air. Locals have also been warned of the dangers of volcanic smog - called vog - a haze containing volcanic dust and gases, which can cause headaches and irritation to the lungs and eyes, according to the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

The activity may again become more explosive increasing the intensity of ash production USGS

AccuWeather meteorologist Faith Eherts said: “Short-term symptoms of exposure to vog include itchy eyes, a sore throat, coughing, nausea and trouble breathing. “These are especially pronounced for the elderly, the very young and anyone with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular health issues such as asthma. Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spewed ash nearly six miles into the sky on Thursday as it explosively erupted again. Scientists warn this could be the first in a string of more violent explosive eruptions with the next possibly occurring within hours.

Hawaii volcano eruption: Kilauea volcano fissures in pictures Fri, May 18, 2018 Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 17 Lava erupts from a fissure on the outskirts of Pahoa