A strong explosion took place at the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea volcano's summit about 04:15 HST (14:15 UTC) on May 17, 2018, ejecting ash up to 9.1 km (30 000 feet) above sea level. The Aviation Color Code is at Red.
Continued emissions from the crater are reaching as high as 3.6 km (12 000 feet) above sea level and drifting generally northeast.
Activity may again become more explosive at any time, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent.
Ashfall has been reported in Volcanoes National Park, and may occur further downwind. Vog or volcanic air pollution produced by volcanic gas has been reported in Pahala.
Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur but impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau.
Resource on volcanic ash hazards: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
Resource on vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/
Current NWS information on ashfall: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/
Featured image: Lava spattering area from an area between fissures 16 and 20 photographed at 18:20 UTC, May 16, 2018. Credit: USGS/HVO
