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An explosion rocked Kilauea’s summit Saturday evening.
An explosion rocked Kilauea’s summit Saturday evening.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park says the event triggered by a rockfall into the volcano’s lava lake flung chunks of molten rock onto the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater.
The area has been closed since the ongoing summit eruption started in 2008.
Park ranger Tim Hopp, who was on patrol of the closed Halema‘uma‘u Crater overlook, reported the explosion was “so surreal and bright you could read a book.”
Fragments of volcanic rock rained down onto his patrol vehicle. He left the area safely with a respirator on.
An hour later, Hopp cited two people for sneaking to the closed area to get a closer look.