(BIVN) – The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that an explosive eruption at Kilauea summit has occurred at 11:58 p.m. on Friday night.

The resulting ash plume may affect the surrounding areas, Hawaii County Civil Defense reports. The wind may carry the ash plume Southwest toward Volcano Village, Wood Valley, Pahala, Naalehu, and Ocean View.

Civil Defense offers this information:

• The danger from this eruption is ash fallout. The major response is to protect yourself from fallout.
• If you are at home, stay indoors with the windows closed. Turn on your radio and listen for updates from authorities.
• If you are in your car, keep the windows closed. Ash fallout may cause poor driving conditions, due to limited visibility and slippery driving conditions. Drive with extreme caution, or pull over and park.
• After the hazard has passed, do check your home, and especially your catchment system for any impact that may affect your water quality.

Scientists reported on Friday that “for much of the day, a steady, white steam plume rose from the Overlook vent within Halema’uma’u. Several minor emissions of ash were observed in web cameras. No significant explosions and no earthquakes greater than magnitude 3.5 have occurred in the summit area in the past 24 hours. Background seismic levels have been increasing slowly over the course of the day.”

UPDATE – The short-lived explosion at from Halema’uma’u created an ash cloud that reached up to 10,000 ft asl and was carried southwest by the wind, the USGS reported. Possible trace ash fall may have occurred along Highway 11.

Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high.