Explosion launches gasses, ash Saturday morning

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported an explosive event happened at Halemaumau Crater at 10:22 this morning. The explosion had the energy of a 5.3 magnitude earthquake. Fissure 8 in the lower East Rift Zone remains very active with 170 foot tall lava fountains. This activity means volcanic gas emissions remain very high. Winds are expected to continue to bring vog to the central, southern and western parts of Hawaii Island.