At about 0415 this morning, an explosion from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano’s summit produced a volcanic cloud that reaches as high as 30,000 ft asl and drifted northeast. Continued emissions from the crater are reaching as high as 12,000 ft asl.
Kilauea – the plume of explosion at crater Overlook May 17, 2018 – seen Mauna Loa’s webcam at 5:30 – Doc. HVO – USGS
The ashcloud is drifting downwind to the northeast. Ashfall has been reported in Volcanoes National Park, and may occur further downwind.
USGS scientists use Ash3D computer simulations to show how far ash might travel and how much ash might fall to the ground. This graphic shows today’s simulation (May 17, 2018) for the explosive eruption at Kīlauea’s summit. The model uses wind and weather data, along with eruption parameters like plume height and ash content, to forecast where ash clouds might move and where deposits might land. The color contour lines represent areas of equal ash thickness on the ground. The inner blue line indicates a local “minor” deposit of 1/32 inch. The outer red line represents a “trace” amount of up to 1/256 inch. Local conditions may vary, such that small accumulations of ash may occur beyond the “Trace” contour.Here is a model run update with more recent wind and weather conditions. – HVO- USGS
At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. However, impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau.
Kilauea – sismo. of the explosion this 17.05.2018 – left, scale HST 18:15 on 16.05 – right, scale UTC 4:15 on 17.05.2018
Vog or volcanic air pollution produced by volcanic gas has been reported in Pahala.
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