Kilauea ash plume rises to 10,000 feet above sea level

An eruption at Kilauea’s summit has sent ash into the air that might affect downwind communities.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the plume went as high as 10,000 feet above sea level.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said wind is blowing to the southwest.

The eruption at 4:07 p.m. coincided with a magnitude-5.4 earthquake.

HVO geophysicist Jim Kauahikaua said there were 10 quakes of magnitude-3 or higher between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m.