Lava from Hawaii's erupting Kilauea volcano threatened to cover more wells at a geothermal power station on Monday as a fresh blast from the crater sent an ash plume almost 15,000 feet (4,600 m) into the sky, officials said.
Lava engulfed the heads of two wells that tap into steam and gas deep in the Earth's core at the 38-megawatt Puna Geothermal Venture on Saturday. Its operator, Israeli-controlled Ormat Technologies Inc., said it had not been able to assess the damage.
Residents fear the wells may be explosive. Officials have said the power plant is safe but lava has never engulfed a geothermal plant anywhere in the world, leaving a measure of uncertainty.