HILO, Hawai'i — Small splatters of molten lava were ejected from the new vent at Halema'uma'u Crater Sunday night, marking the first time lava has erupted from anywhere in the crater since 1982.

Some particles were ejected with enough force to land on the rim of the crater, with the largest fragments of spatter or blobs of molten rock measuring about four inches across.

Observers last night saw red-hot fragments scattering from the vent, and this morning geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported finding the thin strands of volcanic glass known as "Pele's hair" along with the small bits of volcanic glass known as "Pele's tears" in the crater overlook area.

Scientists said the gas at Halema'uma'u is now thick with ash, causing the plume from the 100-foot-wide vent to look dusty brown.

Aviation agencies have been warned that the airborne ash may present a risk to tour flights and other aircraft in the area, scientists said.

Previous eruptions at the crater included lava that flowed into the crater

from fissure eruptions on its southwest rim in 1974 and 1971, and an 8-month eruption in Halema'uma'u in 1967 and 1968 that created a lake of lava that covered the entire crater floor.

Scientists are continuing to monitor the activity.