Hawaii Volcano Erupts in 6-Mile-High Plume, ‘Ash Fallout’ Alert

People watch as ash erupts from the Halemaumau crater near the community of Volcano during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii on May 15, 2018. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester

PAHOA, Hawaii—Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano spewed ash nearly six miles (30,000 feet/9 km) into the air on Thursday and scientists warned this could be the first of a string of explosive eruptions in the crater.

“This has relieved pressure temporarily,” U.S. Geological Survey geologist Michelle Coombs told a news conference in Hilo. “We may have additional larger, powerful events.”