LATEST: Explosive eruption prompts ashfall advisory
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38186992/latest-explosive-eruption-prompts-ashfall-advisoryThursday, May 17th 2018, 11:06 am CDT
Hawaii Volcano Observatory officials on Thursday confirmed that an explosive eruption occurred at the summit of Kilauea. As a result, the National Weather Service issued an ashfall advisory for the Ka'u District of the Big Island. Officials say the ash plume reached 25,000 feet.
HVO is still assessing the situation to see whether this was a steam-driven explosion.
Hawaii Electric Light announced on Wednesday that a portion of Leilani Estates and all of Lanipuna Gardens are now designated no-entry zones for its crews.
HELCO officials say that, over the past few days, fissure activity in the area has put crews in situations that could have resulted in severe injury. HELCO has decided that it is no longer safe to send workers to facilitate repairs in those areas....
...Hawaii Electric Light announced on Wednesday that a portion of Leilani Estates and all of Lanipuna Gardens are now designated no-entry zones for its crews.
HELCO officials say that, over the past few days, fissure activity in the area has put crews in situations that could have resulted in severe injury. HELCO has decided that it is no longer safe to send workers to facilitate repairs in those areas....
...HVO officials said "dense ballistic blocks" measuring about 2 feet across were found in the parking lot near Halemaumau Crater. They said those blocks show the "most energetic" explosions and could signal the onset of a steam-driven explosion.
These enormous, steam-induced eruptions could happen if lava hits the water table. Geologists have been closely monitoring for signs of this type of eruption over the past few days...
