An explosive eruption at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has sent ash 30,000ft (9,100m) into the sky.
The eruption took place at 04:15 local time (14:15 GMT) on Thursday, and scientists say further activity is likely in the near future.
Staff at the volcano observatory and the national park had been evacuated.
Since a new zone of Kilauea began erupting almost two weeks ago, lava has wrecked dozens of homes and forced hundreds of people to be evacuated.
Image copyrightREUTERSImage captionNational Guard soldiers in Hawaii sought protection from ash and volcanic gases
A red aviation code had already been issued - warning pilots to avoid the potentially damaging ash cloud.
The US Geological Survey had warned that an explosive eruption at Kilauea was becoming more likely as the volcano's lava lake was lowering.
This increases the risk of steam-powered explosions as the magma meets underground water.
"We may have additional larger, powerful events," USGS geologist Michelle Coombs told reporters after Thursday's eruption.
Hawaii's emergency management agency advised people in the area affected by ash to stay in their homes if possible.
Kilauea is one of five active volcanoes on the island of Hawaii.
It is one of the most active in the world and has been erupting continuously, though not explosively, for more than 30 years.
Its last explosive eruption took place in 1924.
Even before Thursday morning's explosive eruption, the ash plume from the volcano could be seen from the International Space Station.
Latest Stories
-
Burnley score late to draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford
46 mins -
Bayer Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 46 games after draw with Stuttgart
50 mins -
Chelsea come from two goals down to draw against Aston Villa
54 mins -
Andre Ayew scores in Le Havre’s 3-3 draw with PSG
1 hour -
GPL 2023/24: Kotoko draw with Medeama; Samartex go 7 points clear of Nations FC
1 hour -
Mahama cuts sod for construction of new multipurpose Jakpa palace in Damongo
2 hours -
NSS management assists Papao fire victims
2 hours -
EXPLAINER: Will dumsor end soon?
3 hours -
IMANI Africa takes on EC, accuses it of lying and publishing half truths
4 hours -
Manasseh Azure calls for investigation and prosecution of those responsible for GRA/SML contract
4 hours -
Kwesi Atuahene: Ghana’s health capital depends on HealthTech – Africa Center for Digital Transformation
4 hours -
13 signs your wife is planning on leaving you and you have no idea
4 hours -
IMANI Africa: Ghana’s EC’s dangerous and pathological conduct
5 hours -
If I speak there will be fire – Salah on Klopp row
5 hours -
Grieving after divorce is normal, but this particular kind of grief isn’t
5 hours