Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been caught on video blowing its top in what was the culmination of a two-week series of eruptions.
The blast, which came shortly after 4am, shot a 30,000ft plume of ash into the sky, prompting authorities to warn residents of Hawaii’s Big Island to take shelter.
Geologists have said the volcano could become more violent, erupting more ash and hurling boulders in future explosions.
Around 2,000 people have evacuated the surrounding area. Lava leaking from the fissures has destroyed at least 26 homes and 10 other structures, according to the Associated Press.
The US Geological Survey issued a red alert on Tuesday, warning that a major eruption was imminent. Parks Service staff were evacuated from the area, leaving only a live camera feed to witness the explosion.
The volcano last erupted on 3 May. Since then, at least 17 fissures have opened up, spitting ash, lava and “dense ballistic blocks”. The fissures are also spilling sulphur dioxide, a poisonous gas that officials say has reached dangerous levels in some areas.
