Ash plume rising from Halema‘uma‘u Crater on March 24, 2008

View of ash-rich plume rising from a new vent in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater in Kīlauea Caldera 5 days after the first explosion from the vent occurred on March 19, 2008. The ash is turning the formerly white steam and gas plume a dusty-brown color. Note the ash fallout downwind of the plume. Earlier in the day, geologists reported finding Pele's hair, Pele's tears, and spatter on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu, indicating that particles ejected overnight included molten lava. This is the first lava to erupt from the new vent, which was 30-35 m (100 ft) wide. The largest fragments of spatter, or blobs of molten rock, found on the crater rim were 10 cm (4 inches) in size.