This May 23, 2018, Satellite photo provided by DigitalGlobe shows lava coming out of fissures caused by Kilauea volcano, near Puna Geothermal Venture, a geothermal energy plant, in Pahoa, Hawaii. Wendy Stovall, a scientists with the U.S. Geological Stovall said lava spatter from one of the vents was forming a wall that was helping protect the geothermal plant. (Satellite Image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via AP)
The Associated Press
HONOLULU (AP) - The Latest on the eruption of Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island (all times local):
10:30 a.m.
Ash has continued to spew out from the summit of a Hawaii volcano amid intermittent explosions.
Scientists said Thursday that ash emissions from Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island reached 6,000 feet (1,828 meters) but quickly dispersed.
The ash is settling in small communities that are downwind. Trade winds are blowing the ash to the southwest.
Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high.
The high levels increase the potential for volcanic smog that's called "vog."
Emissions are also high at fissures that began opening up earlier this month in communities about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the summit. Lava continues to erupt in two evacuated subdivisions.
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12 a.m.
Scientists in Hawaii have captured rare images of blue methane flames burning from cracks in the pavement as Kilauea volcano gushes lava in the background.
The photos and video offer a look at a new dimension in the volcano's weeks-long eruption.
The volcano produces methane when hot lava buries and burns plants and trees. The gas flows through the ground and up through existing cracks.
U.S. Geological Survey scientist Jim Kauahikaua (COW-ah-hee-COW-ah) told reporters it's just the second time he's ever seen blue flames during an eruption. He says it was dramatic and eerie.
The methane can seep through cracks several feet away from the lava.
Geological Survey scientist Wendy Stovall says the methane can cause explosions when it's ignited while trapped underground. Blasts can toss rocks several feet.
This photo from video from the U.S. Geological Survey shows blue burning flames of methane gas erupting through cracks on Kahukai Street in the Leilani Estates neighborhood of Pahoa on the island of Hawaii during the overnight hours of Wednesday, May 23, 2018. When lava buries plants and shrubs, methane gas is produced as a byproduct of burning vegetation. Methane gas can seep into subsurface voids and explode when heated, emerging from cracks in the ground several feet away from the lava. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
The Associated Press
This photo released Wednesday, May 23, 2018 by the U.S. Geological Survey shows blue burning flame of methane gas was observed in the cracks on Kahukai Street, during the overnight hours. The volcano produces methane when hot lava buries and burns plants and trees. Scientists say the methane can seep through cracks several feet away from the lava. ( U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
The Associated Press
This May 23, 2018, Satellite photo provided by DigitalGlobe shows lava coming out of fissures caused by Kilauea volcano, running towards the Puna coast, lower right, along Malama Ki Forest Reserve recreation area in Pahoa, Hawaii. Puna Geothermal Venture, a geothermal energy plant is seen at upper middle. The Leilani Estates neighborhood, where the volcano has been gushing lava on the big island of Hawaii for the past three weeks, is seen at center left part. (Satellite Image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via AP)
The Associated Press
This Wednesday, May 23, 2018, photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, the active fissure complex in Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone near Pahoa, Hawaii. The volcano produces methane when hot lava buries and burns plants and trees. Scientists say the methane can seep through cracks several feet away from the lava. ( U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
The Associated Press
This Wednesday, May 23, 2018 photo shows a helicopter overflight of KÄ«lauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone near Pahoa, Hawaii. The volcano produces methane when hot lava buries and burns plants and trees. Scientists say the methane can seep through cracks several feet away from the lava. ( U.S. Geological Survey via AP)
The Associated Press
This May 23, 2018, Satellite photo provided by DigitalGlobe shows lava coming out of fissures caused by Kilauea volcano, running towards the Puna coast, lower right, along Malama Ki Forest Reserve recreation area in Pahoa, Hawaii. Puna Geothermal Venture, a geothermal energy plant is seen at upper middle. The Leilani Estates neighborhood, where the volcano has been gushing lava on the big island of Hawaii for the past three weeks, is seen at center left part. (Satellite Image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via AP)
The Associated Press
This May 23, 2018, Satellite photo provided by DigitalGlobe shows lava coming out of fissures caused by Kilauea volcano, near Puna Geothermal Venture, a geothermal energy plant, in Pahoa, Hawaii. Wendy Stovall, a scientists with the U.S. Geological Stovall said lava spatter from one of the vents was forming a wall that was helping protect the geothermal plant. (Satellite Image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via AP)
The Associated Press
This combination of satellite images provided by DigitalGlobe shows a southeast area of the Leilani Estates neighborhood, near Pahoa, Hawaii, May 24, 2017, top, and May 23, 2018, bottom, after recent Kilauea volcanic activities. (Satellite Image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via AP)
The Associated Press