‘Ballistic Blocks’ Shoot From Hawaii Volcano, May Mark Start of Violent Eruptions

‘Ballistic Blocks’ Shoot From Hawaii Volcano, May Mark Start of Violent Eruptions
Ash erupts from the Halemaumau crater near the community of Volcano during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, U.S., May 15, 2018. Reuters/Terray Sylvester
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VOLCANO, Hawaii — “Ballistic blocks” the size of microwave ovens shot from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on Wednesday in what may be the start of explosive eruptions that could spew huge ash plumes and hurl smaller rocks for miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Such eruptions, last seen nearly a century ago, have been a looming threat since Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted nearly two weeks ago.