KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that an explosive eruption at Kilauea summit occurred at about 3:45 a.m. Tuesday.
The resulting ash plume may affect the surrounding areas. The wind may carry the ash plume to the southwest toward Wood Valley, Pahala, Naalehu and Waiohinu in Ka’u, Hawaii County Civil Defense said.
The danger from this eruption is ash fallout and people are advised to protect themselves from fallout.
If you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed. Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities.
If you are in your car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park.
After the hazard has passed, Civil Defense advises residents to check heir home, and especially the catchment system for any impact that may affect water quality.
Meanwhile, moderate-level eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system on Kilauea‘s lower East Rift Zone, HVO said.
Fissure 22 is erupting a short line of low lava fountains that feed a channelized flow that reaches the coast just north of MacKenzie State Park. Fissures 17 and 19 continue weak spattering.
HVO said Tuesday that Fissure 6 has reactivated and has been erupting since midnight. Flows are slowly headed closer to the Puna Geothermal Venture property.
Civil Defense said there is no immediate threat to PGV wells.
In addition, Highway 137 is closed between Kamaili and Pohoiki roads. Kamaili Road is closed.
HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flows and spattering from multiple fissures as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
