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Volcano Eruption Forces Evacuation as Lava Spews Into the Air

Lava exploded more than 650 feet into the air on Thursday.

Lava blasted more than 650 feet into the air as Kilauea, a Hawaiian volcano, roared to life on Thursday. The eruption began at 11:10 a.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, sending fountains of lava bursting from the volcano’s north vent for more than eight hours before ending at 7:41 p.m.. Officials closed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a popular tourist spot that attracts more than a million visitors a year. Rangers were evacuating the area early Thursday afternoon, the national park said. The National Park Service urged people to wear protective clothing, including long sleeves and eye protection, to reduce exposure to ash and tephra—small glassy fragments. The National Weather Service issued an ashfall warning for the island’s southeast region, cautioning that large, foam-like tephra “up to football size” could fall near the summit. Finer particles may “cause eye and respiratory irritation,” it said. Kilauea has erupted dozens of times since 1952, with past events lasting weeks to over a year, according to USGS.