"Big Island" residents ordered to shelter in place - red alert for flying
A powerful eruption has occurred in Hawaii, where ash plumes were thrown about nine kilometers into the air from the Kilauea volcano. Residents living in the path of the ash cloud are now ordered to ordered to take shelter in their homes.
The data comes from the USGS geological authority USGS, and observers in Hawaii.
The explosion that consisted of steam is expected to spread large amounts of ash over the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, which is the largest - but not the most populated - island in the state.
"Find shelter where you are in the Ashtray Way," calls the rescue service in a telephone message to the public.
The volcanic eruption has so far destroyed at least 37 homes and other buildings in an area of the southeastern part of the island. About 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
US authorities have now also issued a "Code Red" warning for flying. Previous eruptions have proven destructive for jet engines, and can be a serious safety issue during take off and landing. During the night to Thursday, the volcano showed signs of activity that prompted the USGS authority to issue a "red alert" to the aviation industry.
The state of Hawaii's largest island of the same name has been hit by a series of violent volcanic eruptions since the beginning of May. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes and many homes have also been destroyed by lava flows since then.
On Thursday night, European time, the Kilauea volcano exploded - ash was sent a mile up in a cloud from the volcano opening, reports the US authorities.
Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons. Photo shows the Kilauea eruption in 1983, the most violent in modern time in Hawaii.