Kilauea Volcano Blows Plume Of Ash

HONOLULU -- A plume of ash towered from Kilauea Volcano's Halema`uma`u caldera on Monday, according to scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Lava erupted from the crater overnight in relatively small amounts. It is the first time lava erupted from Halema`uma`u Crater since 1982, according to USGS officials.

Scientists candidly told KITV that this is new ground for them. The ash plume thousands of feet high, erupting from the Halema'uma'u caldera of Kilauea indicates a change of geophysical plumbing deep under the volcano which scientists said they do not understand quite yet.

"Not quite sure. It could involve water, the rapid expansion of water. We know that it involves some lava at this point," said Jim Kauahikaua of the U.S. Geological Survey.

The scientists that have monitored Kilauea for years are now turning to experts at Mount St. Helens, who are more expert at volcanic ash.

Scientists found lava forms, including what they call Pele's tears and Pele's hair, which look like spun glass and spatter -- molten rock tossed and cooled into stone.

The ash plume is not causing serious problems for residents yet because steady trades have blown it west toward the slopes of Mauna Loa and over the town of Pahala to the southwest. However, Pahala has seen a change in the environment.

"It's made our air less crystal clear than it usually is that's for sure, and of course people who have asthma and other respiratory problems are being asked to take care of themselves," Pahala resident Julia Neal said.

The release of ash comes days after an explosion on the crater's rim blew debris over a 75-acre area. The explosion left a carved out a small crater in the rim.

It was the first explosion there since 1924.

Halemaumau Crater Web Cam