Mount Kilauea erupts explosively, sending ash into the air

[OvB]

A news source:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/17/hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-has-erupted-from-summit-usgs.html

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. 

At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html

https://twitter.com/USGSVolcanoes/status/997143404806000642?s=19

https://twitter.com/USGSVolcanoes/status/997140912386928640?s=19

[Pascall]

Scary for people living nearby! But man I can't lie and say that seeing volcanic activity isn't cool.

[Curls]

The worst part is that they're on an island so everyone there is basically fucked if they can't get a boat out of there

I wonder how much of Hawaii will be affected after all of this is over

[Pascall]

IIRC, officials don't seem all that alarmed for anyone except people who are immediately nearby. Unless that's changed in the last few days, I'm not sure!

[OvB]

I don't think you have much to worry about unless you live in the immediate area. The island is pretty huge so most of it is unaffected. This new eruption at the main crater adds new danger from falling rock but it should be safe for much of the island. Not to mention the toxic gas is mostly being blown out to sea.

https://twitter.com/NASA/status/996868554711543808?s=19

Still though people should use their heads and be safe just like any natural disaster.

[northshore]

I'm four islands away and I didn't even know this happened until I saw this thread.

I think we're going to be okay here.

[Piggo]

Question, what island are you on? Do you get any activity?

[northshore]

@northshore of Oahu. Haven't felt a thing from any of the earthquakes or seen any ash. I've definitely been feeling the vog (contaminated air quality from all the gases and stuff being produced) in my nose and throat though.

The volcanoes on the other islands (Oahu included) have pretty much no risk of eruption since they're no longer on top of the "hotspot" that's producing lava under the Big Island. That hotspot created all the islands; as the continental plate drifts, the hotspot comes up in a new location and makes a new island (like a conveyor belt). Thus the Big Island is the youngest island and still has volcanic activity as it's still on top of the hotspot.