Unleashing

HILO, Hawaii — Kilauea volcano put on another dramatic display yesterday, sending lava and smoke high into the air as molten rock spilled from its openings during a fresh burst of activity, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The eruption, which began at approximately 11:10 a.m. local time (9:10 p.m. Irish time), marked Kilauea’s 41st eruptive episode in an ongoing sequence, the USGS said. At its most intense, lava fountains surged nearly 480 meters above the crater, producing a fiery column visible across the summit…

Hurricane Rafael has escalated to a Category 2 storm and is poised to strengthen even more as it moves northward towards western Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of mid-morning, the hurricane boasted sustained winds of 175 km/h and was edging closer to the southern coastline of the Caribbean island. At 10 a.m. local time, Rafael was positioned approximately 205 km southeast of Havana, Cuba’s bustling capital. Strong winds and torrential rains were already beginning to impact the Isle of Youth, an area…