Biggest eruption at Hawaii volcano since it became more active

Lava from the Kilauea Volcano burns vegetation between two fissures on Hawaii's Big Island on May 16, 2018

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted from its summit early Thursday, shooting a huge plume of ash miles into the sky and prompting authorities to urge area residents to take cover.

The Hawaii Volcano Observatory said the explosion within Kilauea's Halemaumau crater -- the biggest since the volcano became more active on May 3 -- had produced a volcanic cloud that reached as high as 30,000 feet (9,000 meters) and was drifting downwind to the northeast.