Hawaii volcano explodes for first time in 84 years

The crater created by Wednesday's explosion is estimated
at almost 100 feet (30 meters) across.

VOLCANO, Hawaii (AP) -- An explosion atop the long-erupting Kilauea volcano rained gravel-size rocks onto a tourist lookout, road and trail before dawn Wednesday, injuring no one but forcing parts of a national park to close.

It was the first explosion in Kilauea's main Halemaumau Crater since 1924, scattering debris over about 75 acres, said Jim Kauahikaua, scientist-in-charge at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Big Island. full story