An "explosive" eruption from Kilauea's summit on Thursday morning sent an ash plume soaring some 25,000 feet into the air, and officials are warning that the ash will cover a large part of the Big Island. The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall advisory after radar showed the massive plume. Hawaii Volcano Observatory officials confirmed that there was an explosive eruption, but still have yet to assess whether it was a steam-driven explosion that they have been warning residents about for several days.
At least 125 shallow quakes rattled Kilauea's summit and neighboring communities Wednesday, causing minor damage to roads and buildings amid growing concerns about a violent, steam-driven eruption at Halemaumau Crater.