Hawaii volcano erupts: Kilauea sends burning ash and smoke shooting 30,000ft into the air

Kilauea erupted today, sending burning ash and smoke shooting 30,000ft into the air
AFP/Getty Images
Tom Powell17 May 2018

People living near the site of an active volcano in Hawaii have been ordered to seek refuge after it erupted today, sending burning ash and smoke thousands of feet into the air.

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted from its summit, sending a dusty plume of ash about 30,000 feet into the sky shortly after 5pm UK time.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) told people to seek shelter after the powerful eruption.

Earlier they warned of an "even larger steam-driven violent explosion" .

People have been advised to seek refuge from the vast plume of smoke and ash
REUTERS

It came following several eruptions from the summit this week.

They issued warnings to inhabitants of the island of possible breathing problems due to the ash, possible contamination of drinking water, and warned people to stay indoors.

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